While most people were preparing for Christmas parties and holiday get-togethers, ASU and Hawaii were busy facing off in the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu.
The game which promised to be action-packed, bringing two high powered offenses head-to-head, lived up to expectations in a 41-24 Hawaii win.
The Sun Devils put up a strong effort, holding Hawaii to just 3 points in the first half but ultimately they could not restrain the nation's No. 1 offense.
Spearheaded by junior quarterback Colt Brennan's 559 passing yards, Hawaii's dominating air attack picked a part the Sun Devil's defense. Brennan had 5 touchdowns which broke the NCAA single-season record. He ended with 58 touchdown passes on the season.
"Tonight really made it special; at home, at a bowl game," said Brennan. "It means so much tonight."
The game also marked the end of the road for former ASU coach Dirk Koetter, who after six seasons with the Devils posted a 40-34 record and four bowl games.
"We couldn't get it going on offense and we couldn't stop them on defense," Koetter said.
The Devils had a chance, going in with a 10 -3 lead at halftime, but were out-gunned in the second half.
ASU quarterback Rudy Carpenter went 13-of-26 resulting in 191 yards and two touchdowns. Including a touchdown pass to wide receiver Mike Jones that brought the game within three points with a little less than 11 minutes to go. In the end, Hawaii's offense proved to be too strong, roaring back with two more touchdowns via the pass.
ASU finished the year 7-6 and fifth overall in the Pac-10.
Reach the reporter at: william.hennigan@asu.edu.
