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Brennan leads Hawaii to ninth straight win

Oct 28, 2007 - 9:19 AM HONOLULU (Ticker) -- Colt Brennan appears to have a new favorite target.

Brennan tossed six touchdown passes and Ryan Grice-Mullen hauled in three scores as No. 16 Hawaii extended the nation's longest winning streak to nine games with a 50-13 triumph over New Mexico State in a Western Athletic Conference battle Saturday night.

Brennan, who has 26 touchdown passes on the season, completed 29-of-46 passes for 425 yards with one interception. He surpassed the 400-yard mark for the fourth time this season and 17th career.

"I was obviously happy with the result, but we're going to have to play better the next few games," Hawaii coach June Jones said. "Colt was not at his best tonight, but six touchdowns is still pretty good."

Brennan also has 119 career touchdown passes, placing him second on all-time list just two behind Ty Detmer's record. Saturday's performance propelled him past fellow Warrior Timmy Chang, Florida's Danny Weurffel, and Louisiana Tech's Tim Rattay.

"What I learned last year is that don't pay any attention to records or stats," Brennan said. "This offense and this team is not about that but about the 'W' that is our mentality."

Grice-Mullen made 13 receptions for a career-high 195 yards. He now has 27 catches for 370 yards and four touchdowns in his last two contests.

"If you ask me during the game, I never know the numbers," Grice-Mullen said. "I may know how many touchdowns. My objective is to just go out and play the game and get a win. We've been in the system three or four years now with the same quarterback and things are becoming second nature."

"Ryan (Grice-Mullen) and Davone (Bess) are great receivers," Jones said. "They both know what they are supposed to be doing and they get it done."

Brennan got the Warriors (8-0, 5-0 WAC) off to a good start, connecting on touchdown passes of 16 and 20 yards in the first quarter to grab a 13-0 edge.

Grice-Mullen caught his second touchdown of the night - a 42-yard strike from Brennan - to give Hawaii a 23-0 lead with 3:10 left in the half.

Brennan threw a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to Davone Bess and Grice-Mullen as the Warriors took a 36-13 advantage into the third quarter.

Brennan found Bess again in the fourth quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass to give Hawaii a 43-13 lead.

Bess finished with seven catches for 112 yards and two scores. He now has 38 career touchdwons, which ties him with Michael Carter and Chad Owens for the school record.

"We want to stay hungry and humble at the same time," Bess said. "I'm thankful on the touchdowns and being in the same company as (Michael Carter and Chad Owens)."

Chase Holbrook completed 37-of-52 passes for 328 yards and one score but he was intercepted twice for the Aggies (4-5, 1-3), who have lost three of their last four contests.

Holbrook had an interception returned 57 yards for a touchdown by Hawaii defensive back JoPierre Davis, which provided the final margin.

"We played terrible," New Mexico State coach Hal Mumme said. "We didn't play together as a team. Defense played a little, offense played a little, but it was a poor effort. It was kind of indicative of the night we have 10 guys playing and one guy not playing."

Holbrook's favorite target was Derek Dubois, who hauled in eight receptions for 106 yards. Weston Neiman, who made four catches for 39 yards, hauled in the lone New Mexico State touchdown - a 19-yard strike from Holbrook.