As a postgame interviewer read off his Western Athletic Conference player of the week-worthy statistics — 29 of 46 passes, 425 yards and 6 touchdowns — marveling at the numbers, University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan quickly interjected an addendum:

"...And one (interception) and fumble."

When a reporter noted receiver Ryan Grice-Mullins had a career-high yardage total (195) to go with 13 catches and 3 touchdowns, Grice-Mullins mentioned the ones that got away, including a pass that hit him in the face mask.

For all the eye-opening statistics and records put up in last night's 50-13 demolition of New Mexico State, the most important thing was that the Warriors know they can play a whole lot better. They understand what a homecoming gathering of 38,675 at Aloha Stadium came to grasp along the way as well: these Warriors, as explosive as they were in flashes, are still scratching at their offensive potential.

The good news is that they were scratching deeper than at anytime since Nevada-Las Vegas a month and a half ago, when Brennan injured his right ankle. Better news is that the Warriors know they'll also have to do it a lot faster after this coming week's open date down a season-ending stretch that includes Fresno State, Nevada, Boise State and Washington.

Anywhere else 492 yards of total offense and six touchdown passes would be cause for uproarious celebration. Especially since it kept the Warriors one of five major college unbeatens and helped them match the best start (8-0) in school history.

But the 17th-ranked Warriors — in the BCS standings — are looking at the big picture and the big prize in it, a potential Bowl Championship Series berth, if they can finish the 12-game regular season unbeaten. They have, ever since the 2006 season ended, been nurturing a dream of an unbeaten season. Not just two-thirds of one.

They were hardly threatened in a game where they led 23-0 before the Aggies got on the scoreboard. But, then, this first two-thirds of the season has been less about measuring up with opponents than meeting their — and our — considerable expectations.

"We still haven't played our best game — not even close," Grice-Mullins said. "I don't think we've hit our stride yet," Brennan said. "We came closer today but you could see our defense gave us a ton of opportunities to score and we kind of messed up some of those opportunities."

To a man, the Warriors will tell you that in many cases the only people who have stopped them this season have been, well, themselves. That's not arrogance so much as an understanding of what they should be capable of and how lofty the bar has been set on their goals.

We saw examples of it last night beginning with Brennan's first toss, an underthrown pass that was intercepted at the New Mexico State 15-yard line. And, yes, the fumble that got away from Brennan. There were dropped passes, deflating penalties and, rarity of rarities, even two missed extra point attempts by placekicker Dan Kelly, that kept the Warriors from turning this into a rout early on.

And, then, there were the glimpses that inspired awe — Grice-Mullins bolting 42 yards for a touchdown with a pass from Brennan. Big plays by Davone Bess, Jason Rivers and Malcolm Lane that made you jump up and shout. Moments that portend a great finishing kick to this season if only the Warriors can muster them consistently. Flashes of wonder the Warriors themselves know they aren't that far away from on a regular basis.

Brennan said it all when he noted, "People might be happy about these kind of offensive numbers tonight, but we're not happy. That's because we know we can do a lot better."

Indeed, next to their 8-0 record that "unhappiness" might be the best thing these Warriors take into this week's open date.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.