HONOLULU, Hawaii, 27 December 2003 — Michael Brewster ran eight yards for a touchdown in the third overtime, his second of the game, to give Hawaii a wild 54-48 win over Houston in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Day night.
Timmy Chang passed for 476 yards and five touchdowns for Hawaii, but an error of judgment in the final minutes of regulation almost cost the Warriors the win.
Houston QB Kevin Kolb engineered the tying touchdown drive in the fourth quarter after Hawaii elected to pass on third down on its late drive instead of just running out the clock, giving the Cougars one more chance.
Kolb then hit Vincent Marshall on an 81-yard touchdown pass with just 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter to tie the game.
But Chang put together three more scoring drives in the overtime to lead the Warriors (9-5) to the win after they lost the inaugural Hawaii Bowl last year to Tulane. Jason Rivers caught three touchdown passes for Hawaii and had seven catches for 143 yards. Jeremiah Cockheran had five catches for 164 yards for the Warriors.
Jackie Battle rushed for three touchdowns for Houston (7-6) and had 121 yards rushing on 19 carries. Kolb passed for 335 yards for Houston, while Marshall had eight receptions for 161 yards.
Police Break-Up Post-Game Brawl
Police were called onto the field to separate collegiate American football players after a post-game Christmas brawl here Thursday after the conclusion of the Hawaii Bowl.
The University of Hawaii defeated the University of Houston in triple overtime to capture the game, which concluded with a failed fourth-down play by Houston that gave the hosts the victory.
Several players from opposing teams began a scuffle near the middle of the field. As coaches tried to restore order, another melee broke out in a punch-out that saw both teams gather and trade taunts before cooler heads prevailed.
