HONOLULU — Colt Brennan threw two touchdowns and ran for another to lead Hawaii to a 50-23 victory over Utah State late Saturday.
Brennan was 24-of-36 for 386 yards for the Warriors (4-6, 4-4 Western Athletic Conference) before sitting out most of the final quarter. He has thrown for 3,572 yards and 27 TDs this season.
Hawaii erupted for four unanswered touchdowns in the decisive second quarter, including a 1-yard plunge by Brennan that gave the Warriors a 34-3 halftime lead. The 28 points were the most given up in a quarter by Utah State since 2001.
Davone Bess got Hawaii's scoring frenzy going by catching a soft 6-yard touchdown pass from Brennan that put Hawaii up 13-3. Brennan was 5-of-6 for 67 yards on the 73-yard scoring drive.
Bess finished with five catches for 110 yards and two TDs. It was the freshman's fifth straight game with at least 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. He now has 1,048 yards receiving this year.
Ross Dickerson added six receptions for 112 yards.
Hawaii took advantage of a turnover by quarterback Leon Jackson, who left the game in the third quarter with an injury to his left throwing shoulder. Kila Kamakawiwoole popped the ball loose with a big hit, giving Hawaii possession on Utah State's 21.
Seven plays later, David Farmer dove across the goal line from a yard out to give Hawaii a 20-3 lead in the second quarter.
The loss was the fifth straight this season for the Aggies (2-7, 1-5) who haven't won on the road since defeating Nevada-Las Vegas on Sept. 25, 2004.
The Aggies didn't get going offensively until the second half. Backup quarterback Jerod Walker found a hole on the right side, cut left and scrambled 46 yards for a touchdown, which cut Hawaii's lead to 24 points.
But Utah State couldn't get any closer as Brennan and Bess connected again on a 62-yard pass play for a touchdown.
Bess caught a short dump pass, juked a defensive back and found the open field.
Lynwood Johnson's 5-yard touchdown run trimmed Hawaii's lead to 41-16, but the Warriors blocked the extra point attempt and Lono Manners scooped up the ball and raced 95 yards to make it 43-16.
Walker was 13-of-17 for 188 yards and completed a short touchdown pass late in the game. He also led the Aggies with 88 yards rushing on 21 carries.
It was the first meeting between the schools since Utah State defeated Hawaii 48-0 in 1966.