The one-two combination of quarterback Colt Brennan and running back Nate Ilaoa set the way, but it was the University of Hawai'i's defense that provided the knockout blow in a pulsating 41-34 victory over Nevada last night at Aloha Stadium.

The Warriors refused to budge after the Wolf Pack advanced to the 3 with less than two minutes to go, strutting away from what they had proclaimed as a "must-win game."

"Our team really came together," said UH senior cornerback Kenny Patton. "This is the best one I've had since I've been here. This is the best one I've had in my football life."

A crowd of 29,427 saw the Warriors improve to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the WAC. Nevada fell to 3-3, 0-2.

Thanks to Brennan, who completed 36- of -47 passes for 419 yards and four touchdowns, and Ilaoa, who amassed 151 yards rushing and another 68 receiving, the Warriors constructed what appeared to be an insurmountable 41-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.

But then the Wolf Pack, behind a backup quarterback with an unimpressive recent history, began a frenetic comeback.

Travis Moore threw two scoring passes to tight end Anthony Pudewell, the second a 5-yarder with 3:57 to play, to close the Wolf Pack to 41-34. Moore replaced Jeff Rowe, who left because of an injury to his left hamstring suffered in the first half.

The Wolf Pack would have recovered the ensuing onside kick if not for an off-sides penalty that wiped out the play. The second kickoff sailed to about the 10. UH returner Malcolm Lane signaled for a fair catch, but the football fell between Lane and Patton. Lane recovered the ball. The officials ruled that by attempting a return after signaling for a fair catch constituted a delay of game.

The penalty placed the ball at the UH 5.

Two plays later, from the 7, Brennan tried to pass to slotback Davone Bess on the right side. But a wave of pass-rushers forced Brennan to roll to his left. While Brennan kept his eye on Bess, the Nevada pass-rushers were focused on Brennan. Jason DeMars struck Brennan's knees, forcing Brennan to fumble. Charles Wilson recovered at the UH 3.

"The guy hit me, and made me fumble," Brennan said. "I messed up. I was waiting and waiting for the receiver to get open. The guy came up, and I decided to tuck the ball. When the guy hit me, the ball disappeared. All I could think about was the Boise State game (in which he fumbled). I was crushed."

As the UH defense jogged onto the field, defensive coordinator Jerry Glanville flashed a grin.

"We set up at halftime what we would do if they got the ball that close," Glanville said. "The kids knew what to do. Give them all of the credit."

Defensive end Ikaika Alama-Francis recalled thinking: "We've got them right where we want them."

Patton said: "That's exactly what coach Glanville always says. That's what (safety) Leonard (Peters) always says. We believe it. We believe in ourselves. You could look in everybody's eyes and you could see it.

"I looked at Mel Purcell's eyes. I looked at Ikaika's eyes. I looked at Adam Leonard's eyes. When I looked at their eyes, I knew. We have no weak links on defense anymore. Everyone plays together. Everyone plays hard."

On first down, Nevada's third-string running back, Luke Lippincott, was stopped for no gain on a dive play.

On second down, Moore could not connect with Adam Bishop on a throw into the right corner of the end zone.

On third down, Jack Darlington caught a pass out of bounds, with Patton waving his arms in the sign for "incomplete."

On fourth down, Mike McCoy — Nevada's Mr. Touchdown — ran a post route between Peters and strong safety Jake Patek. Of McCoy's first 10 receptions this season, six have resulted in touchdowns. He had caught a 3-yard scoring pass with 10 seconds left in the first half.

This time the pass was high, and Peters appeared to tip it away in the back of the end zone.

"It was suck-up time," Patek said. "It was the last series, and we knew we had to suck it up."

Peters said: "We had a combo on (McCoy). Patek played outside, I played inside. He went inside, and I was lucky to jump and get in (McCoy's) way."

UH got the ball back, and was able to exhaust the remaining time.

"Our defense came through," Brennan said. "I'm so grateful. Thank God for our defense."

Alama-Francis said: "Colt had a wonderful game. He had an awesome game. Things happen, but that's why we're a team. We needed a stop, and the defense made a stop."

Nose tackle Michael Lafaele said: "That last one showed our character. It showed the offense can trust us. We make plays, too."

Indeed, but for most of the game, it was Brennan and Ilaoa who provided the spark.

Brennan completed his first six passes — all on the first drive, which concluded with Dan Kelly's 35-yard field goal — and 16 of his first 17 throws.

The Wolf Pack was faced with pick-a-poison options. When they retreated into a two-deep zone — with the safeties or the corners backing up — then Brennan would throw screens or shovels. When the Wolf Pack tried to send a blitzer, Brennan would dial long distance.

In the second quarter, the Wolf Pack blitzed, and wideout Ian Sample sprinted to the vacated area. Brennan looked at Ilaoa, who curled into the right flat, then threw to a wide-open Sample, who raced the final 20 yards of a 63-yard scoring pass.

Brennan and Ilaoa also were able to use the run-option as a shell game. On one scoring drive, Ilaoa took an option pitch and ran for 28 yards. Later, Brennan ran to the perimeter in what appeared to be another option play, but instead threw to Ross Dickerson for a touchdown.

In the fourth quarter, at the Nevada 6, Brennan ran to the perimeter and cut up field for the touchdown.

"We saw a weakness, and we wanted to attack it," Brennan said. "I think I can run. And if they key on me, nobody's better than Nate."

Ilaoa said he was so tired he went through two pairs of gloves.

"I couldn't do it without the o-line, and Reagan," Ilaoa said, referring to backup running back Reagan Mauia.

Mauia aligned several times as a slotback, slowing down J.J. Milan — one of the Western Athletic Conference's best pass-rushers.

"When everything is clicking, it's a lot of fun," Ilaoa said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.