Last night's 54-17 win over San Jose State marked the eight consecutive win for Hawai'i, a school record. The Warriors also improved to 7-1 in the Western Athletic Conference, keeping them in contention for at least a share of the WAC title.

Hawai'i needs Boise State to lose at Nevada next week to share the title.

The Broncos also have a date with Utah State the following week. If Boise State stumbles at either game, UH and BSU would finish with identical 7-1 conference records and be crowned co-champions. If Boise State loses both games, Hawai'i would win an outright title.

"It's great," said quarterback Colt Brennan in between signing autographs for fans. "Everybody's been talking about the stats we put up, but we're about winning."

UH has the opportunity to tie a school-record 11 wins if it can beat Purdue on Saturday and Oregon State on Dec. 2.

"Those are two quality opponents that are from two BCS conferences," Brennan said. "We want to make a statement against them."

If the Warriors win the Dec. 24 Hawai'i Bowl, it will be an unprecedented 12th win for the program this season.

"It just feels great," said Leonard Peters. "This year we're playing better because we're playing as a team and we're playing how we should be."

WARRIORS COULD MOVE INTO TOP 25 POLLS

Hawai'i could move into the national polls this week after last night's win. It would be the first time since 2002 that UH has been ranked in the top 25.

"We wouldn't mind it," said Brennan. "But if we keep winning, we won't have to worry about that. They'll rank us."

Hawai'i was No. 26 in The Associated Press poll last week and No. 27 in the USA Today poll.

"They're on the verge and they've had a great seven- or eight-game run now and getting a lot of attention, a lot of national attention," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said.

HAWAI'I SETS RECORD FOR MOST POINTS IN SEASON

UH eclipsed the record for points in a season with Brennan's 8-yard scramble into the end zone in the second quarter and the Briton Forester extra-point for its 507th point of the season. The previous record of 502 points was set by the 2002 squad.

"This team is special," Brennan said. "The receivers keep catching balls, the O-line keeps blocking and the records will keep falling as long as we keep winning."

Brennan, who played in the fourth quarter for just the fifth time this season, finished with 402 yards on 28-of-39 passing and five touchdowns.

TOMEY AFFECTED BY SCHEMBECHLER'S DEATH

The death of former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler on Friday at age 77 hit San Jose State coach Dick Tomey particularly hard.

Tomey's first college football coaching stint was under Schembechler at Miami of Ohio in 1963-64 as a graduate assistant.

"He's meant more to me as a coach than anybody else," Tomey said. "More than anybody I've ever been involved with. He was such a mentor to me and such a wonderful example of leadership."

Tomey coached against Schembechler in 1986 while at UH, losing 27-10.

BENSON REVIEWS HAKA AFTER LATECH COMPLAINT

Benson reviewed the Warriors' pregame haka performance last night in the wake of a complaint by Louisiana Tech, Benson said.

Tech was UH's opponent last week and apparently felt UH performed its version of the battle dance too close to the Bulldogs' team.

Benson declined comment other than to say, "it (last night's haka) was fine."

UH has performed the pregame haka since the season opener at Alabama.

Last night's took place about 22 minutes before game time while San Jose State was in the locker room.

Benson was in town for about 30 hours to meet with UH officials on other matters.

NOTES

Kicking back: Placekicker Dan Kelly, who lost his kickoff job briefly last week after shanking a couple kicks, was back to form last night. His kicks into the end zone forced San Jose State to start from its 20 on three of five kicks.

In tune: Former UH running back Afatia Thompson sang the national anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i last night.

UH vs. SJSU: Hawai'i has now won the last six meetings with SJSU, but the Spartans still hold a slim advantage in the series, 15-13-1.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.