FRESNO, Calif (AP)—Colt Brennan picked apart Fresno State’s defense, throwing for 409 yards, and matched a season-high five touchdowns in Hawaii’s 68-37 victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Hawaii (4-2, 2-1 Western Athletic Conference) picked up its first win over Fresno State (1-5, 1-2) in three years. Two seasons ago, Fresno State rolled to a 70-14 victory over Hawaii at Bulldog Stadium.
Hawaii defense stepped up in the first quarter forcing two fumbles that later resulted in touchdowns. Ikaika Alama-Francis recovered Dwayne Wright’s fumble at the Bulldogs 24. Four plays later, Nate Illaoa scored his second TD on a 5-yarder.
Adam Leonard picked up Hawaii’s second fumble recovering at the Fresno State’s 42. Hawaii capitalized when Brennan connected on a 3-yard TD pass to Ian Sample in the second quarter for a 28-7 lead.
Sean Norton, who took over for Tom Brandstater in the second quarter, threw a 20-yard pass to Pascoe. Hawaii responded with a 7-play, 65-yard drive, capped by Illaoa’s 20-yard touchdown run that put Hawaii up for good 35-14.
Fresno State’s only lead came in the first quarter when Tom Brandstater hit Bear Pascoe for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Norton was 14-of-24 for 225 yards and three touchdowns.
Head to Head - Week 7
| Team | Total Yds | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | First Downs | 3rdD% | Pen./Yds | Turnovers | Time of Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | 570 | 470 | 100 | 30 | 77.8% | 4/31 | 0 | 29:18 |
| Fresno State | 487 | 304 | 183 | 22 | 53.8% | 6/53 | 3 | 30:42 |