• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Cincinnati seeks record 11th win

Dec 6, 2008 - 11:16 AM (12) Cincinnati (10-2) at Hawaii (7-5), 11:30 pm EST

HONOLULU (Ticker) -- With its first Big East Conference championship safely tucked away, 12th-ranked Cincinnati can view this week's trip to Hawaii as a reward for a successful season.

Since the Bearcats are likely headed to the Orange Bowl, there won't be much at stake in Saturday's contest against the Warriors.

Still, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly wants his players to treat the game as a business venture.

"We have to work at Hawaii, and we know there is a lot of work to do," Kelly said. "We finish out the season by representing the Big East in the BCS bowl."

There is one piece of business remaining for Cincinnati (10-2), which clinched the outright Big East title last weekend by posting a 30-10 victory over Syracuse.

The Bearcats will be seeking a school-record 11th win. They have reached 10 victories for the second straight season and only the third time in school history.

Hawaii (7-5) is looking to conclude the regular season with a four-game winning streak under first-year coach Greg McMackin, who took over after former coach June Jones bolted for Southern Methodist.

The Warriors knew they would be facing a rebuilding year following the graduation of record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan, the NCAA's all-time leader in career touchdown passes. Still, they clinched at least a .500 record with last week's 24-10 victory over Washington State.

Greg Alexander threw for a career-high 315 yards and two touchdowns for Hawaii, which accepted an invitation to the Hawaii Bowl following the game.