RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan and the backup quarterbacks warmed up during practice. Brennan has not been camera shy since arriving in New Orleans.

Colt front and center

The fishbowl that is the Sugar Bowl has given Hawaii's QB a chance to step into the spotlight

NEW ORLEANS » If you wanted to talk to Colt Brennan at yesterday's press conference, you needed a bodyguard to help you wade through all the reporters packed tight around him in search of a quote.

Even after the 45-minute session was done, a few local print media and broadcasters followed him out to the curb in front of the Marriott as he tried to make his getaway in a media van. Several players were already safely inside as Brennan tried to open the locked door.

He started jumping up and down, yelling, "Let me in! Let me in!" But his fellow teammates wouldn't help him as he sprinted to the empty van in front of them. It did little good as one local print reporter ran after him like a defensive end in search of a sack.

It was all in a day's work for the University of Hawaii quarterback as the Warriors moved a day closer to the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Brennan answered the same questions about his past, his love for Hawaii and how he adapted to the lifestyle and cultures of the island chain.

Amazingly, Brennan never seems to get tired or grow weary of the same queries that have been made of him since he decided to stay for his senior season last January. One table down, UH quarterbacks coach Dan Morrison looked on in wonder, a bemused expression on his face as he watched his genuine article deal with the Sugar Bowl circus.

Brennan's receiver corps came along for the ride, and while they answered their fair share of questions, it was nothing compared to what Brennan had to deal with. As usual, the UH quarterback was often animated with his responses, as if this were the first time these questions had been asked.

"He's an amazing guy," Morrison said. "All the success we've had this season, starts with that man down there. We wouldn't be here right now if it weren't for him."

RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM The Hawaii offensive line ran through drills during practice yesterday at the Saints' Metairie, La., facility. That offensive line enabled Colt Brennan to pass for 4,174 yards and 38 touchdowns and will be counted on heavily to protect Brennan against the underrated Georgia defense.