Brennan closing in

QB is within 2 TD passes of matching Detmer's career mark

» Bulldogs rivalry goes on

» Hawaii defense vs. Fresno State running game

When a Hawaii quarterback zeroed in on a national record it used to be the big story.

Tonight it's a footnote.

Warriors football Fresno State (6-3, 5-1 WAC) at Hawaii (8-0, 5-0) » Today, 6:07 p.m. » Aloha Stadium » TV: ESPN2 (blacked-out locally), Oceanic PPV, Ch. 255 » Radio: KKEA 1420-AM

Three years and four days ago, Tim Chang broke Ty Detmer's career passing yardage record. It was a major highlight of an 8-5 season of drastic highs and lows.

Against Fresno State tonight, Colt Brennan needs two touchdown passes to match Detmer's national career mark of 121.

But individual records aren't as big a deal now. The team is the thing as the 14th-ranked Warriors (8-0, 5-0 WAC) attempt to remain unbeaten and the path toward a WAC championship and BCS bowl game gets tougher. The Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1) are the first UH opponent that now has a winning record.

Brennan broke the single-season TD passing record last year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Despite plenty of personal attention, he says his goals are team-oriented. They won't be met without continued victories, starting tonight.

The biggest crowd of the season -- approaching the first sellout of the year with 48,000 tickets distributed by yesterday afternoon -- is expected at 50,000-seat Aloha Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2, but blacked out locally except for pay-per-view.

It is the first of four national telecasts (at Nevada and home against Boise State and Washington) against the most formidable opponents of the season.

"We have great tests coming up and it's a great opportunity," Brennan said. "I see a tone of excitement and realization now is the time to step up and show what we can do."

"This week Coach came out and hit us with real hard practices. Watching the team respond has been pretty awesome. We've had great tempo, flying around. I know Coach Mack (defensive coordinator Greg McMackin) has been tough on the defense, too."

Hawaii routed the Bulldogs 68-37 in Fresno last year. But they are always dangerous, especially on special teams and running the ball.

"We had some good fortune last time and hopefully we'll have some more this week," said UH coach June Jones, who told his team to approach the remainder of the season like playoffs -- each win to advance to the next opportunity.

FSU has been injury riddled and UH is a 17-point favorite tonight.

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Bulldogs rivalry goes on

The rivalry continues tonight as Hawaii hosts Fresno State.

Bulldogs coach Pat Hill was at his bunker mentality best, again deciding to avoid interviews in the week leading up to playing the Warriors. His team again set up camp on the North Shore, hoping to avoid the pregame perils of Waikiki.

Hawaii (8-0, 5-0) is favored by 17 points, but the Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1) have played the tougher competition so far, with their losses coming against Boise State, Oregon and Texas A&M.

When Fresno State has the ball

The Bulldogs have three very capable running backs in Clifton Smith, Ryan Mathews and Lonyae Miller -- when they're healthy. Mathews is the top freshman in the nation, with 12 touchdowns and 6.3 yards per carry, but an ankle sprain could keep him out tonight or limit his effectiveness.

Smith rushed for a career-high 126 yards against Utah State last week, and Mathews added 106 in the first half before getting hurt. Whoever plays will pose a challenge to UH's capable linebackers -- Solomon Elimimian, Adam Leonard and Brad Kalilimoku. Blaze Soares (hamstring, shoulder) didn't practice much during the week, with defensive coordinator Greg McMackin saying he is day-to-day.

UH's depth up front took a hit when defensive end Francis Maka broke a lower-leg bone on Monday. He's likely out the rest of the regular season.

"Some others will have to pull the rope a little bit harder," defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold said. Victor Clore is expected to get more serious playing time in Maka's absence.

Desmond Thomas is the new starting free safety with Keao Monteilh out for the rest of the regular season and Ryan Mouton takes over the nickel back position.

Tom Brandstater is not extraordinary, but he has completed 60 percent of his passes. Tight end Bear Pascoe is the favorite target.

When Hawaii has the ball

Quarterback Colt Brennan, leader of the nation's most productive offense, comes off a WAC Player of the Week performance against New Mexico State in which he passed for six touchdowns and 425 yards.

Slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins has been the hottest receiver of late, with 27 receptions for 370 yards and four touchdowns in the last two games.

UH's leading ground gainer, Kealoha Pilares, is not expected to play due to a knee sprain. Jones said Leon Wright-Jackson, David Farmer and Daniel Libre will make up the difference, with perhaps contributions from jumbo back Jason Laumoli.

The Bulldogs have managed just one interception this season, but they've produced 28 sacks among 92 tackles for loss. End Tyler Clutts has been the strongest force, with seven sacks.

It will be the toughest test to date for the Warriors offensive line. The UH front five of Keith AhSoon, Hercules Satele, John Estes, Larry Sauafea and Keoni Steinhoff has started every game.

Special teams

Fresno State's John Baxter is considered one of the best special teams coaches in the nation. The Bulldogs have blocked four kicks this season, returning one of them for a touchdown, along with two punts and one kickoff. When Fresno State beat Hawaii here two years ago, two blocked kicks and a roughing the kicker call against UH weighed heavily.

"Everybody has a formula, and special teams is a special part of who we are," Baxter said.

"It's not a third of the game like people who don't know what they're talking about say. But it's an important 20 percent."

A.J. Jefferson is the reigning WAC Special Teams Player of the Week after an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Utah State.

"Hawaii's kickoff coverage team is very similar to ours. They come down the field very hard," Jefferson said. "There's no second level, so if you get past the first guys, you have a chance to go all the way."

The Warriors have returned four kicks for scores this fall, but have been suspect on punt coverage.

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Key matchup

Hawaii defense vs. Fresno State running game

There are plenty of ways to play smashmouth football, and the Fresno State offensive line knows most of them. Although not as big as in previous years, the Bulldogs are athletic and skilled up front, led by four-year starter Ryan Wendell at center.

Wendell was part of the crew that generated 503 rushing yards against UH in 2004, mostly running through the Warriors.

"Now they're not so much downhill. They've added some wrinkles," Hawaii defensive tackle Mike Lafaele said. "They're kind of like LaTech the way they run the ball -- draws and stuff. I know they'll come down and try to pound the ball down our throat. But I think if we stop them in the beginning they'll try all kinds of stuff."

The Bulldogs will use a wide variety of personnel groups and formations, and the Warriors use 10 different defensive linemen in various roles. It will be a barbaric chess match.

"They go regular and kings, one tight end, two backs, two tight ends," UH defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said. "They do a lot of things, but basically, they still run the ball. They try to keep that physical game going. So you have to control the line."

UH has done that effectively this season, not allowing a 100-yard rusher to date. But Fresno State averages nearly 200 yards on the ground per outing.

"You have to be a junkyard dog," Hawaii defensive tackle Fale Laeli said. "You gotta be a dog out there, you gotta be a beast. You have to come off the ball and attack. Don't let them hit you -- hit them first. Let them feel our wrath, what we're made of."

HAWAII

8-0, 5-0 WAC

PROBABLE STARTERS

Offense

X	84	Jason Rivers	6-2	189	Sr.
H	7	Davone Bess	5-10	195	Jr.
LT	62	Keith AhSoon	6-1	315	Jr.
LG	65	Hercules Satele	6-2	293	Sr.
C	55	John Estes	6-2	292	So.
RG	73	Larry Sauafea	6-2	294	Sr.
RT	78	Keoni Steinhoff	6-3	282	Jr.
Y	1	Ryan Grice-Mullins	5-11	180	Jr.
Z	2	C.J. Hawthorne	5-11	168	Sr.
QB	15	Colt Brennan	6-3	201	Sr.
RB	48	Dave Farmer	6-1	224	Jr.
or	4	Leon Wright-Jackson	6-1	211	So.
Defense
LE	54	Amani Purcell	6-4	277	Sr.
LT	96	Fale Laeli	6-1	292	Jr.
RT	67	Mike Lafaele	6-1	302	Sr.
RE	12	Karl Noa	6-4	251	Sr.
BUCK	44	Adam Leonard	6-0	236	Jr.
MAC	17	Solomon Elimimian	5-11	218	Jr.
STUB	43	Brad Kalilimoku	5-10	221	Sr.
CB	3	Myron Newberry	5-9	174	Sr.
FS	24	Desmond Thomas	6-3	174	Jr.
SS	31	Jake Patek	6-0	204	Sr.
CB	23	Gerard Lewis	5-9	175	Sr.
Specialists
P	45	Tim Grasso	5-11	221	Jr.
PK	86	Dan Kelly	6-3	212	Jr.
LS	57	Jake Ingram	6-4	234	Jr.
H	45	Tim Grasso	5-11	221	Jr.
KR	89	Malcolm Lane	6-2	184	So.
	5	Mike Washington	5-7	173	Jr.
PR	7	Davone Bess	5-10	195	Jr.
or	3	Myron Newberry	5-9	174	Sr.

SCHEDULE

DATE	OPP.	RESULT
Sept. 1	Northern Colorado	W, 63-6
Sept. 8	at Louisiana Tech	W, 45-44 (OT)
Sept. 15	at UNLV	W, 49-14
Sept. 22	Charleston Southern	W, 66-10
Sept. 29	at Idaho	W, 48-20
Oct. 6	Utah State	W, 52-37
Oct. 12	at San Jose State	W, 42-35 (OT)
Oct. 27	New Mexico State	W, 50-13
Tonight	Fresno State
Nov. 16	at Nevada
Nov. 23	Boise State
Dec. 1	Washington

Fresno State

6-3, 5-1 WAC

PROBABLE STARTERS

Offense

WR	13	Jason Crawley	6-1	185	So.
LT	72	Bobby Lepori	6-5	285	Jr.
LG	62	Cole Popovich	6-3	285	Jr.
C	77	Ryan Wendell	6-2	285	Sr.
RG	69	Andrew Jackson	6-5	290	Fr.
RT	73	Kenny Avon	6-3	285	Jr.
TE	85	Bear Pascoe	6-5	260	Jr.
FB	40	Nate Adams	5-11	240	Sr.
TB	2	Clifton Smith	5-8	190	Sr.
QB	7	Tom Brandstater	6-5	220	Jr.
WR	6	Seyi Ajirotutu	6-3	205	So.
Defense
E	96	Wilson Ramos	6-5	265	So.
NT	42	Charles Tolbert	5-11	265	Sr.
DT	94	Jon Monga	6-2	280	Jr.
E	11	Tyler Clutts	6-2	245	Sr.
OLB	31	Marcus Riley	6-2	220	Sr.
MLB	54	Ben Jacobs	6-3	225	Fr.
OLB	32	Quaadir Brown	6-2	215	So.
CB	22	Damon Jenkins	5-11	180	Sr.
SS	3	Moses Harris	6-1	200	So.
FS	19	Marvin Haynes	6-1	205	So.
CB	4	Damion Owens	6-1	185	So.
Specialists
PK	39	Clint Stitser	6-1	200	Sr.
P	35	Kyle Zimmerman	5-11	200	Sr.
LS	57	Greg Titiraga	6-3	255	Sr.
H	42	Robert Malone	6-2	215	Fr.
KR	28	A.J. Jefferson	5-11	180	So.
	2	Clifton Smith	5-8	190	Sr.
PR	2	Clifton Smith	5-8	190	Sr.

SCHEDULE

DATE	OPP.	RESULT
Sept. 1	Sacramento State	W, 24-3
Sept. 8	at Texas A&M	L, 47-45 (3 OT)
Sept. 15	at Oregon	L, 52-21
Sept. 29	Louisiana Tech	W, 17-8
Oct. 6	at Nevada	W, 49-41
Oct. 13	at Idaho	W, 37-24
Oct. 20	San Jose State	W, 30-0
Nov. 3	Utah State	W, 38-27
Tonight	at Hawaii
Nov. 24	Kansas State
Nov. 30	at New Mexico State

OTHER KEY STATISTICS

FRESNO STATE	CATEGORY	HAWAII
19.7	First downs/game	27.6
9.9	Rushing first downs/game	3.9
7.8	Passing first downs/game	21.3
2.0	First downs by penalty/game	2.5
1.9	Turnovers lost/game	2.6
0.9	Turnovers gained/game	2.6
1-17	Interceptions-return yards	16-385
40.6	Punting avg	40.1
55-470	Penalties-yards	62-624
16-12	Fumbles-lost	18-5
40%	Third-down-conversion rate	51%
42%	Fourth-down-conversion rate	50%

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

Rushing

	A	Yds	Avg	TD
Ryan Matthews, FSU	120	751	6.3	12
Clifton Smith, FSU	62	367	5.9	3
Kealoha Pilares, UH	50	294	5.9	3
Leon Wright-Jackson, UH	26	153	5.9	1

Passing

	A	C	I	Yds	TD
Tom Brandstater, FSU	233	140	5	1,642	9
Ryan Colburn, FSU	5	4	0	58	0
Colt Brennan, UH	328	225	11	2,820	26
Tyler Graunke, UH	71	43	5	720	7

Receiving

	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
Bear Pascoe, FSU	37	462	12.5	4
Marlon Moore, FSU	25	315	12.6	1
Ryan Grice-Mullins, UH	65	952	14.4	9
Davone Bess, UH	60	748	12.5	9

Tackles

	S	A	Tot	FL/S
Marcus Riley, FSU	48	46	94	12/2
Ben Jacobs, FSU	26	38	64	7/2
Tyler Clutts, FSU	23	26	49	10/7
Quaadir Brown, FSU	21	24	45	4/1
Lorne Bell, FSU	21	22	43	4/0
Solomon Elimimian, UH	39	51	90	7.5/1.5
Adam Leonard, UH	34	38	72	10.5/2
Jake Patek, UH	24	29	53	3.5/1
Desmond Thomas, UH	25	10	35	2/0
Myron Newberry, UH	16	18	34	1/1