JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan, center, reacted after hearing of Hawaii's selection for the Sugar Bowl.

Sugar On Top

Undefeated Hawaii to battle Georgia in Big Easy on New Year's Day

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About 7,000 exuberant University of Hawaii football fans packed the Stan Sheriff Center yesterday to celebrate the Warriors' unprecedented entry onto the national football stage.

The unbeaten team will face fifth-ranked Georgia on New Year's Day in New Orleans in the Sugar Bowl, it was announced on TV and to the crowd.

The gathering yesterday, nationally telecast live on Fox, followed the team's knuckle-biting come-from-behind victory Saturday against the University of Washington to complete a perfect 12-0 regular season.

"What these Warriors have done will be remembered for a lifetime," said Mike Lau, 46, a 1979 UH running back and the father of linebacker Micah Lau. "We're blessed."

Isle businesses are already responding to the frenzy.

Travel agents are trying to accommodate fans who want to support the Warriors in person at New Orleans' Superdome. But flights are tight during the holidays, and game tickets are already selling for hundreds of dollars on auction Web sites.

A Honolulu T-shirt company has been working nearly nonstop to produce souvenir attire.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM University of Hawaii football fans reacted yesterday during a live television broadcast at the Stan Sheriff Center upon hearing the Warriors would play in the Sugar Bowl. The Warriors will play fourth-ranked University of Georgia.

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It was bedlam at the University of Hawaii Stan Sheriff Center yesterday during the filming of the nationally televised Fox Bowl Championship Series pick for Hawaii to enter an elite bowl game.

UH coach June Jones and quarterback Colt Brennan gave live interviews in the arena as fans waved in the background, and the entire football team performed their haka in suits and T-shirts before the national audience.

Fans cheered in the arena when the big-screen TVs showed the matchup of the No. 10 Warriors with the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on New Year's Day.

About 7,000 fans were at the 10,300-seat arena. A female fan held a sign referring to UH quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate Brennan that said, "Because Colt Stayed," echoing several fans' feelings.

Jeff Stockton, 28, went to the arena because he wanted to champion Brennan, who holds the record for the most touchdown passes in a season at 58.

"I think that it was real special what he did, coming back (for another year at UH) and giving up millions," he said.

He also described Hawaii's winning season and entrance into a BCS bowl as a "once-in-a-lifetime" event, probably the "most important thing in Hawaii's history since statehood."

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM University of Hawaii cheerleaders entertained the crowd yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center during Fox's live broadcast of the Bowl Championship Series selection special.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM The University of Hawaii football team performed the haka yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center after performing the ha'a. The Warriors were matched against the University of Georgia at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a Bowl Championship Series game to be held Jan. 1 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.

Before saying a word, Brennan pointed to his teammates seated in a section along the court.

"There's about 80 football players over here," he told the crowd before he was drowned out, asking them to acknowledge his teammates.

For Mike Lau, 46, the announcement that UH would be heading to the Superdome in New Orleans held significance for both him and his son Micah Lau, a UH linebacker.

"What these Warriors have done will be remembered for a lifetime," said the 1979 UH running back. "We're blessed."

Lau plans to go to the Pelican State to watch the game.

"We got tough work ahead but another chance to prove that we're worthy," he said.

Also at the event were two of Brennan's longest continuous fans.

"What a perfect situation for not only Colt, but for the team and for the state of Hawaii," said Brennan's father, Terry Brennan, who was with his wife, Betsy, at the arena. "As far as a priority, (a BCS bowl game) was probably not one of the top things that was on my mind."

Then showing where the younger Brennan might have gotten his acclaimed humility, he dismissed claims that Brennan was the reason UH achieved its first undefeated season.

"I'm not so sure we would have missed a beat with any of the other quarterbacks," he said.

"It's been fun," he added. "Whether it be a soccer game or volleyball game for your daughter or something, it's all fun. It's just great."

Also yesterday, Gov. Linda Lingle proclaimed 2007 the Year of Warriors Football.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii fans filled the empty seats of the Stan Sheriff Center prior to the start of Fox's live broadcast of the Bowl Championship Series selection special.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Colt Brennan received a lei from a young fan.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Defensive line coach Jeff Reinebold, head coach June Jones and associate athletic director John McNamara waited to go out for Fox's live television special.