Quotes from Friday morning

About Colt, his father Terry Brennan said:
"He knows I'm his biggest fan." (HSB)


Watching old videotapes of Colt's games when he was a kid, Betsy Brennan said with a laugh:
"Colt was like 8 or 9, and he's running back and forth with the ball and you can hear Terry in the background saying, 'Get rid of the ball, get rid of the ball!' The same thing he yells at him now." (HSB)


Asked whether or not he puts pressure on Colt, Terry said:
"That's how they make diamonds, through pressure. A lump of coal under extreme pressure." (HSB)


About how her husband is rough on Colt, Betsy said:
"He's probably harder on Colt than anyone." (HSB)

HSB Note: "But Terry Brennan is also Colt's "No. 1 fan." When his son was slammed to the field with a concussion three weeks ago, Terry Brennan hauled his husky 6-foot-4-inch frame to the locker room so fast he arrived at the same time Colt did, and was relieved to hear him say, "Hi, Dad." "


About all of the tickets he arranged for friends and family to see Colt play, Terry said:
"There's nothing greater than college football." (HSB)

HSB Note: "The elder Brennan, 56, is known as "the Ticketmaster" and lines up seats and handles logistics for hordes of relatives and friends to attend every game, from here to Louisiana. More than 90 turned out for the Las Vegas contest, coming from as far as Boston."


About how Colt was warned that locals often give pushy outsiders a hard time, Betsy said:
"I think he knew when he came over here that he had to lay low. He was quiet, unassuming and humble." (HSB)


About what Colt learned from his Colorado problem, Terry said:
"He learned that you can't take anything for granted. Adversity can touch anyone. There's maturity and responsibility for your actions, and there's a toll for making poor decisions." (HSB)


About the media criticism directed towards Colt after his Colorado incident, Betsy said:
"He didn't give up; he kept plugging along. And he could have. The press was ugly, even in our hometown. We didn't know how to handle it. They said a lot of bad things that weren't true." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Even before Colt Brennan had a say in the matter, his parents had a hunch he would be into sports. Their top choices of names for their newborn were Colton and Maverick. He has looked the part since he was 3, when his favorite outfit was a Rams replica uniform. His Pee Wee coach made him a quarterback at age 9."


About how Colt always wanted to play football with his older cousins, Betsy said:
"Colt was always the youngest, and he tried to hang with them. We'd have football games at Thanksgiving. He was always too young, and he was always upset he would have to sit on the side." (HSB)


About how Colt never wanted to give the ball up when he got into the game, Terry said:
"And when he got in, he always wanted the ball. Everybody had to stand around and give Colt the ball until he got so tired he had to go to the sidelines and suck his thumb." (HSB)


About how Colt loved diving in the surf to catch balls thrown from him, Terry said:
"I'd time it so that when I threw the ball, he'd have to reach up to get it, and just about that time the wave would smash into him. That was good practice. Kind of like those linebackers and defensive ends hitting him." (HSB)


About how Colt's cousin Brad Brennan is playing pro ball in Japan for the Fujitsu Frontiers and has learned to speak Japanese and is now mastering the written language, Betsy said:
"Brad has embraced the culture there, like Colt's embraced it here. All the nephews are like Colt. They're all cute, outgoing; they love people. Terry's side of the family has got a gift." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Like other Warrior parents, the Brennans have been crisscrossing the country to follow their boys. Terry Brennan, a residential and commercial broker, said the market downturn has given him more time. Betsy will take the red-eye home to Irvine Sunday night to do payroll for her family business. Gary and Gay Patek of Victoria, Texas, sold their cars and opted for older ones so they would not have car payments and could use the money for trips to watch their son, safety Jake Patek."


About downgrading their cars to get the money to go to their son Jacob's games, Gay Patek said:
"You know it's worth it. It's so exciting. It's just a very special time for our family." (HSB)


Not sure if she wants to sit next to Terry during tomorrow's game, Betsy said:
"He gets pretty intense." (HSB)


Terry cut in and said:
"It's a good intense." (HSB)


About how he's starting to get nervous about the UW game, Terry said with a smile:
"Here we go. The good news is that the state of Hawaii and the people of Hawaii are on the same roller coaster that we are. We're not alone." (HSB)


About how he likes to get away to the Island home on Kaloko Mountain on the Big Island that the father (Nick Furtado) of his girlfriend (Shakti Stream) built:
"Just getting out there and experiencing all of that is really cool." (HA)

HA Note: "Years ago, Stream's father, Nick Furtado, bought three acres on Kaloko Mountain. He cleared an area and built a house. There are solar panels to light the house's interior. A running-water system was installed about eight years ago. But the house does not have electricity. It is, in every definition, wireless."


About how Colt can never really get away, Dan Morrison said:
"He's passed that line where there's no turning back. He's too well known." (HA)

HA Note: "Indeed, the most popular gift this holiday season appears to be a Brennan-autographed item. This season, Brennan has signed his big looping "C" and "#15" on thousands of items. After one practice last week, he signed autographs for about an hour. Yesterday, next to the sign-up sheet for the team's training-table breakfast, there were three stacks of footballs, mini-helmets, T-shirts and pictures awaiting his autograph."


About how Colt has to autograph so many things, Morrison said:
"I've never seen anything like this. He can't even get breakfast. It's taxing on him, but he keeps plugging away. He doesn't want to say 'no' to people. Sometimes he needs help moving along, or he'll be stuck for hours." (HA)


About how this could be his last game with the Warriors at Aloha Stadium, Colt said:
"It'll be kind of interesting when Saturday rolls around, the feelings and stuff that will go through my head. There have been so many great memories. Considering the season and success we've had, it's been a great run. I can't wait to get there Saturday, and hopefully end my career at that stadium on a great note." (HA)


About how his first year at UH was the most fun despite their 5-7 record, Colt said:
"That year was the most fun. It was great because each win was so honored and so cherished." (HA)


About how he was nervous when he first came to UH, Colt said:
"Whenever you go to a college for the first time, you never know what's going to happen." (HA)


About how the first teammate he saw when he showed up at the athletic complex was Tyler Graunke, his host during his recruiting trip, Colt said:
"I had nothing going on, and he was like, 'You wanna hang out?' (HA)

HA Note: "They eventually became roommates in a Waikiki studio. They took turns sleeping on the floor. Later, Brennan, who was not on scholarship his first semester, moved to an apartment in Makiki."

About living in Hawaii, Colt said:
"To be living in the city the past couple of years was the kicker. To come to Hawai'i was a trip. I remember I thought the university was on the North Shore, and I'd be surrounded by surf beaches. But what's really neat about O'ahu is it offers everything. It offers the city. Whatever you need, you can get here. If you need some city life, you've got it. If you need to calm down and relax, you've got that, too." (HA)


About why he chose to go to Hawaii, Colt said:
"I came here because Hawai'i was so different and laid back. It seemed like a place where, besides football, you could enjoy yourself. You could really be happy, and enjoy life and the simple things. At the same time I loved football. When I took care of having fun off the field, that's when on the field it all kind of worked out for me." (HA)


About going to Irvine, CA for 2 weeks after the 2005 fall semester, Colt said:
"That's when I knew Hawai'i was the place for me. I remember when I'd go home to Cali, I couldn't wait to get back. It's weird right now. I know I'm leaving soon, so I'm trying to enjoy it." (HA)

HA Note: "After the bowl game, Brennan will return to California to train for the Senior Bowl in Alabama and National Football League combine in Indianapolis."


About how he doesn't know when he'll be back in Hawaii after their bowl game, but he will always have Hawaii in his heart, Colt said:
"I'll never be done with Hawai'i. This will be a place I'll never leave, even though I have obligations on the Mainland. If I get a chance to make some money, I'll get a place here. Even if I don't (make money), I need to come back." (HA)


Asked about his best UH memory, CJ Hawthorne said:
"Sports-wise, it was the game last Friday. But I've had a lot of good memories at UH. Personally, one was getting married out here. There were a couple of good things I was able to do for the church. The state's been real good to me." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"What comes to mind is the Fresno game my first year, coming from high school to playing against Fresno. That woke me up and put me in the right place to play the game. That's when I knew the difference between hitting in high school and college." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Ryan Keomaka said:
"I've got many memories, like hanging out with the boys. I'm going to miss that." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Michael Lafaele said:
"Winning the WAC championship, and making all of the friendships that I did. It's been a long road for me. It's exciting to move on." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Micah Lau said:
"Beating Boise State at home for the WAC championship." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Jason Laumoli said:
"Just being with the boys every morning, and having a good time practicing hard. And, of course, winning the WAC championship." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Gerard Lewis said:
"11-0." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Francis Maka said:
"Just the boys. They're pretty much family-oriented. I like how family-oriented this team is." (HA)


About his best UH memory, A.J. Martinez said:
"Just playing in the Alabama game in that stadium." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Myron Newberry said:
"Winning the WAC title." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Karl Noa said:
"Winning the WAC championship. It's everything I've worked for all these years. To win outright was amazing." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Timo Paepule said:
"Getting to spend time with the guys. The things we do off the field, and the bond we share. It's been a memorable year because it's my senior year and we're WAC champs. What you remember are the things off the field. I didn't make friends, I made brothers on this team." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Jacob Patek said:
"I have to say being with all of the players on the team. Just being with my friends. The late night at the hotel (before games) in Bible study. Even though we were supposed to be in our rooms, we'll be talking about the Lord. That's the best memory I've had." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Lorgan Pau said:
"Everything, man, everything. I enjoyed being here." (HA)


About his best UH memory, Amani Purcell said:
"The boys. Everyday, spending time with them." (HA)


About how they aren't afraid of playing BCS conference teams, RGM said:
"We showed that at the beginning of the summer when they couldn't get enough top BCS schools to play us in the first place. That should tell you something there, you know? We're not worried about that. Football is football. A game is a game. All you have to do is go out there and win, no matter who we play. Boise made the BCS last year and people thought we'd struggle against them. That just tells you it's the players and who wants it most." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Several UH players are transfers from schools in BCS conference, including quarterback Colt Brennan (Colorado), wide receiver Daniel Lofton (California), defensive end Francis Maka (Arizona), running back Leon Wright-Jackson (Nebraska), defensive end Amani Purcell (Penn State) and defensive end David Veikune (Colorado)."


Looking forward to facing Washington, Amani Purcell said:
"I'm just looking forward to playing good Pac-10 competition. I always wanted to play these guys. It'll be fun. I had a (recruiting) letter from them, but I don't really remember if they were trying that hard." (HSB)


About how the lightly recruited players often become better than the heavily recruited guys, Amani said:
"Yeah, they may have more talent, but this year's Warriors team has a lot of heart. And that's going to be the big difference. They want to give their seniors a good last game, but we have a lot of seniors, too. Yeah, I came from a big-time school and stuff, but the leader of our D-line is Mike (Lafaele), and he's always been here. There ain't no difference. It all depends on the person and his heart. Mike has the biggest heart." (HSB)


Looking forward to the Washington game, Colt said:
"Everyone talks about making statements. What better chance to make a statement this Saturday against a BCS school?" (HSB)


About Washington, JJ said:
"We line up against anyone we play and this is the best team we've played. On film, athletically, and we're going to have to show up and play our best game." (HSB)


About how they play whoever is on the schedule, RGM said:
"This isn't the first Pac-10 team we've played. Arizona State last year in the bowl game. People saw what we can do in that game. And there were other games throughout the year, Purdue. It don't really matter to us. We just go out there and play who shows." (HSB)


About how Jake Patek will be ready to play tomorrow, GM said:
"We're just being a little careful with him. His ankle felt good, he took reps (yesterday)." (HSB)