It might be too simplistic to reduce University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan's success to a statistical analysis.

Last year's numbers added up to the best statistical season by a quarterback in NCAA history.

But to appreciate the skill of Brennan, who begins his run for the Heisman Trophy with tomorrow's season opener against Northern Colorado, is to look not at the bottom line but inside the lines.

"You have to be one of his receivers to understand," right slotback Ryan Grice-Mullins said. "He does so many different things to make every play look easy."

For Brennan, a senior, it begins with meetings, video sessions and hundreds of throws each week in practices.

"This is his third year in this offense," said head coach June Jones, inventor of the Warriors' version of the four-wide passing attack. "He's very comfortable in it. Can you imagine if he had two years left? How many more records would he break?"

Brennan's familiarity with the offense factored in his decision to not apply as an underclassman for the 2007 National Football League draft.

"I'm having fun with (the offense)," Brennan said. "That's why I came back, for that complete understanding of the offense, and to really take my game to the next level."

In the UH offense, the receivers' routes are dictated by the defensive coverage. Jones said each play has at least four progressions. At the snap, Brennan checks the first option, then the second, and so forth, before throwing.

"He was a little slow in his read progressions when he first came in (as a sophomore in 2005)," Jones said. "Now he gets through them pretty quick. It's 1, 2, 3, 4, throw."

In comparison, Jones said, "When I was playing, I wasn't doing it as a fast as I wanted. It just comes with being in it for a while. He's been in it for a while. He knows what he's doing."

Right wideout C.J. Hawthorne said Brennan does not cut short his progressions, giving each receiver a fair opportunity.

"He goes through all of his reads," Hawthorne said. "It's not like he locks in on one guy. It's not like, 'I'm going to throw to my favorite receiver,' or 'this play is for one person.' "

Brennan said: "My whole mentality is I want my receivers to know that no matter what the play is, even if it's not designed for them, there's a possibility they can get the ball. You never know when things are going to break down (defensively). I like letting my receivers feel any night can be their night."

Dan Morrison, who coaches the UH quarterbacks, said Brennan uses his deceptiveness to help his receivers. Morrison said Brennan confounds cornerbacks by glancing in one direction and throwing to another.

"Everybody sees his eyes going there, and they start to pull there, then he throws to the other side," Morrison said. "He can move corners and safeties and linebackers with his eyes. If he wants you to move, he'll look a particular way to move you. He's very good at that. He's very convincing."

The receivers praise Brennan's ability to fire catchable passes.

"His passes are fast, but they're also soft," Hawthorne said. "It's hard to explain."

Grice-Mullins said: "The ball gets there fast, but it doesn't jam your fingers, like catching a bullet. That's the magic of Colt."

Brennan said the key is the way the football spins when he releases it. Morrison agreed, noting a fast-spinning pass is easier to catch.

"I've never been a very strong kid," Brennan said. "I've never been able to lift a lot. Maybe that's one of the underlying qualities that karmically comes to my advantage because maybe I'm not that strong, but I'm really strong at throwing a football. But as hard as I throw it, it still comes with a nice, soft touch."

Morrison added: "His passes are not high-miles-per-hour fast. But because his vision is so good, and he anticipates so well, he throws it earlier. He anticipates a window is going to be over here. When he releases the ball, the receiver is not even near the window. Because he's throwing ahead, the ball and the receiver get to the window at the same time. It makes it seem like the pass is faster than it really is."

Those qualities, Jones said, "show why he's a phenomenal quarterback."

SOARES, FONOTI TO SIT

Jones said strongside linebacker Blaze Soares and defensive end John Fonoti will not play against Northern Colorado.

Soares has not practiced since suffering a strained left hamstring last Friday. He also has been bothered by a stinger in his left shoulder.

"I'm going to hold him out," Jones said.

Fonoti is suffering from injuries to both heels. He will undergo an MRI to determine if there is a hairline fracture in his left heel.

Visit Tsai's blog at www.hawaiiwarriorbeat.com.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.