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Brennan sets single-season record for TD passes

Dec 25, 2006 - 6:46 AM HONOLULU, Hawaii (Ticker) -- Once Colt Brennan got rolling, there was no stopping him.

Brennan set the NCAA single-season record for touchdown passes on a day when he passed for a career-high 559 yards and five scores as Hawaii rolled to a 41-24 victory over Arizona State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

Operating a multiple-receiver, run-and-shoot-style shotgun offense, Brennan has passed for 58 touchdowns this season, eclipsing the record of 54 set by Houston's David Klingler in 1990.

Brennan, who was not invited to the Heisman Trophy ceremony, entered the game needing one TD pass to tie the record. After failing to get one in the first half, Brennan threw three touchdowns in the third quarter and added two more scores in the fourth.

Brennan was nearly flawless in the second half, completing 19-of-23 passes for 389 yards.

The Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Brennan broke the record in his 14th game. Klingler's 54 TD passes came in 11 games.

Brennan tied the record with a 38-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Jason Rivers down the left sideline 2:31 into the third quarter, tying the game at 10-10.

"Once we scored that first one, I knew we could keep going," said Brennan, who completed 33-of-42 passes.

On Hawaii's next series, Brennan eclipsed the record with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Grice-Mullen, who made a one-handed catch and leaped across the goal line, giving the Warriors (11-3) a 17-10 lead with 8:46 left in the quarter.

After throwing the historic touchdown, Brennan hugged coach June Jones and waved with his index finger to the crowd as teammates lifted him into the air.

"It was an awesome feeling," Brennan said. "And it was not just me. I had good company in my wide receivers. They were a big part of this record."

"Colt is a money guy," Jones said. "I can't be more proud of the way he stepped up. He is the best college quarterback in America and he proved it tonight."

Brennan connected with Grice-Mullen on a 41-yard scoring play with 2:14 remaining in the third quarter to increase the advantage to 24-10.

After Ryan Torain scored on a 12-yard run and Rudy Carpenter hit Michael Jones with a four-yard touchdown pass in a span of 1:56 of the fourth quarter to pull Arizona State within 27-24, Brennan went back to work.

Brennan threw a 21-yard touchdown to Davone Bess with 5:16 left and Rivers turned a short pass over the middle by Brennan into a 79-yard scoring play with 2:01 remaining.

Rivers set a school record with 308 receiving yards on 14 catches. Grice-Mullen finished with eight catches for 111 yards.

Hawaii (9-4), which has the nation's No. 1 offense, totaled 680 yards.

A fourth-year junior, Brennan leads the nation in passing yards (5,549), TD passes and passing efficiency.

"I plan on coming back next season," Brennan said. "I'll see what the NFL says, but I love playing for Hawaii."

It was the last game for Arizona State's Dirk Koetter, who was fired on November 26 but allowed to coach in the bowl game.

The Sun Devils (7-6) hired Dennis Erickson to succeed Koetter.

"Being fired a month ago gives you a lot of time to think," Koetter said. "It was awkward to continue coaching after being fired."

Carpenter threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns and Torain rushed for 160 yards on 18 carries for the Sun Devils.

"The Hawaii offense is just so good," Carpenter said. "We had to step it up in the second half against an explosive offense like Hawaii's, but we didn't."