Despite 5 interceptions by Brennan, No. 19 Hawaii beats Idaho 48-20
MOSCOW, Idaho - Colt Brennan now shares a record he certainly didn't want.
Instead of letting Brennan's "weird and crazy" day become a factor against a lesser opponent, No. 19 Hawaii showed it's more than just the star quarterback's gunslinging right arm.
Adam Leonard and Myron Newberry returned interceptions for touchdowns and Hawaii overcame a school-record five interceptions by Brennan as the Warriors routed Idaho 48-20 on Saturday.
Hawaii improved to 5-0 - 2-0 in the Western Athletic Conference - for the first time since 1981, when the Warriors started 7-0 and moved up to 16th in the rankings, the highest in school history.
"I just had a different, crazy day," said Brennan, who was mobbed by a small gathering of Warriors' fans after the game looking for autographs. "What's awesome is everyone else just showed how good our team really is."
Brennan, who set an NCAA record for TD passes last season, was a spectator last week, resting a sprained right ankle while backup Tyler Graunke kept Hawaii's offense rolling in a 66-10 win over Charleston Southern of the Football Championship Subdivision. Brennan was also limited in his practice time and the rust showed.
Fortunately, Hawaii's defense was there to pick up for its star quarterback.
"What we don't like is people who don't see us play and automatically assume we can't stop anybody," Leonard said. "That is a chip on our shoulder. We want to prove ourselves each week to the nay-sayers."
Brennan finished 30 of 49 for 369 yards with three touchdown passes and added a 1-yard TD plunge in the third quarter. Brennan's five interceptions tied a school record, but while the Warriors' star struggled, Hawaii's talent easily overmatched the Vandals.
Brennan's ankle seemed fine, but he was far from sharp. Many of his passes were slightly off target, either behind or in front of his receivers. Brennan's 19 incompletions were the most since missing 20 throws against Wisconsin in 2005 and third highest of his career.
Davone Bess caught a season-high 12 passes for 162 yards, just two receptions off the school record he co-owns, and Kealoha Pilares added 85 yards rushing on just 10 carries, the highest total by any Hawaii back this season.
"It keeps Colt very humble and let's him understand that you have to execute and do what you have to do," Bess said. "This is a great win for the team."
The Warriors defense controlled the line of scrimmage, holding Idaho's running game in check. The Vandals (1-4, 0-1) played most of the game without Deonte Jackson, the WAC's leading rusher entering the week, who suffered a high ankle sprain in last week's loss to Northern Illinois. Jackson saw limited action against the Warriors.
Without fear of Jackson in the backfield, the Warriors were opportunistic against Idaho's redshirt freshman quarterback Nathan Enderle, who completed just 15 of 34 passes for 186 yards, but also threw five interceptions.
"Interceptions fall on a lot of people's shoulders. Sometimes they're mine. Sometimes they're somebody else," said Enderle, who was also sacked five times. "I'm not going to point out which ones are which."
Idaho pulled even at 7-7 midway through the first quarter when Eddie Williams took a reverse 18 yards for a score. Brennan then was intercepted by Breyon Williams on Hawaii's next possession.
Leonard quickly reversed the momentum jumping Enderle's short pass, returning it 40 yards to put the Warriors up 14-7. It was the second straight week Leonard has returned an interception for a touchdown.
"The quarterback was looking the way he wanted to throw the whole time," Leonard said. "I managed to cut in front and get it."
After an Idaho three-and-out - one of five in the first half - Brennan took one of his few shots downfield, hitting Malcolm Lane in stride for a 41-yard TD.
Brennan added a 24-yard scoring pass to Bess for a 28-7 lead, but was twice intercepted deep in Idaho territory. Newberry quickly made up for Brennan's second pick, jumping Enderle's sideline throw and returning it 24 yards for a score, his second interception of the half.
Tino Amancio kicked field goals of 50 and 49 yards for the Vandals, and Williams caught a 35-yard TD from Enderle late in the fourth quarter.
Hawaii now has just two mainland trips remaining this season, both for Friday night games.
"We took this game personal," said Hawaii defensive tackle Michael Lafaele. "Nothing against Idaho ... but we came out jacked up, stopped them on the first series and took it from there."
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