NEW MEXICO STATE | OCT. 27

Today, quarterback Colt Brennan is supposed to submit a piece for the New York Times in which he praises the perseverance and grittiness of his Hawai'i football teammates.

All of the research Brennan needs can be culled from Saturday night's 50-13 victory over New Mexico State.

A homecoming crowd of 38,675 saw Brennan throw six touchdown passes, and the Warrior defense subdue one of the nation's most effective spread-and-then-pass offenses.

In the process, the unbeaten Warriors opened the season with eight consecutive victories for the first time since 1973, and the only time as a Division I member.

The Warriors, ranked No. 17 in the latest BCS standings, remain one of five unbeaten Division I-A teams, joining top-ranked Ohio State, Boston College, Kansas and Arizona State.

"It's an awesome feeling," said Brennan, a third-year Warrior who has watched the ascent from 5-7 in 2005.

"We've come a long way," Brennan added. "To think about my first year, to be 8-0 right now ... and, to be honest with you, I feel the season is just getting started."

After next week's bye, the Warriors close the regular season with four games in four weeks, three of which will be televised nationally.

"It feels great," said weakside linebacker Adam Leonard, who led the Warriors with 10 tackles, two backfield tackles and an interception. "We have to focus on our next game so we can be 1-0 against our next opponent."

Brennan was 29 of 46 for 425 yards. Three of his touchdowns went to right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins; the third was Brennan's 117th scoring pass in 33 UH games, surpassing Tim Chang's school record.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.