SAN JOSE — Defensive back Keanemana "Mana" Silva has requested a release from the Oregon State football team and is seeking to transfer to the University of Hawai'i.

Silva, a 2006 Kamehameha-Hawai'i graduate, is not permitted to contact UH until he secures his release.

But Silva said he has met with Oregon State coach Mike Riley and "it won't be any trouble" to get a release.

Silva said he wishes to transfer because of family concerns. He declined to disclose those reasons.

But he was in good academic standing at OSU.

"It was fun," he said of OSU. "I had a good experience. The coaching staff at Oregon State was really good. There are a lot of Hawai'i kids over there. I felt like I was at home."

As a quarterback, Silva was the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Player of the Year in 2005.

He also lettered in baseball and basketball.

His sister, Kahealani, is a setter for UH-Hilo.

After joining the Beavers last summer, Silva was moved to receiver. He redshirted last season.

As a transfer, Silva will have to redshirt again. But he will be allowed to attend classes and practice during the 2007-08 academic year. After that, he will have three years to play three seasons.

"I know I have to wait another year, but I want to get on the field already," Silva said. "I'll wait one year, and plan for the 2008 season."

Silva said he would like to join the Warriors as a safety. He said he is 6 feet 1 and 210 pounds.

At Oregon State, he was timed running 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.

"I'm really excited about going home," Silva said .

CONTAINING COLT

The national media are now learning what UH opposing defenses have known for two years: quarterback Colt Brennan is a gifted player.

"He's an awesome player," Idaho linebacker David Vobora said of the Warriors' Heisman Trophy candidate.

"I've been in a game that I literally felt, that no matter what we called, Colt Brennan was going to complete a pass," Vobora said. "There was literally times I'd call this or call that, a check out of this, and just pray: 'Can we at least get someone within 5 feet of him?' He's impressive. Stopping him is impossible. Slowing him down will be a task."

Fresno State defensive end Tyler Clutts said Brennan, who is the Warriors' leading returning rusher, is an artful dodger.

"From a defensive line perspective, it's tough, because he's a double threat," Clutts said. "He can run and he can throw. He's quick. He's deceptively elusive. He changes up your pass rush. You're a little more hesitant because you don't want to lose contain. He's much harder to defend than a guy who's a pocket passer."

Idaho cornerback Stanley Franks remembered Brennan as a junior-college opponent.

"I was a receiver at the time, so I got to stand on the sideline and really study him," Franks said. "He's a very smart quarterback. You can't blitz him. He'll run right by you. And he has that composure. He's so cool back there you wouldn't even know he's playing a game. He never gets too high or too low out there."

Clutts said the word out was Brennan had a low-throwing motion.

"He must have changed it," Clutts said. "The last time we played Hawai'i, he wasn't throwing low. You still have to get your hands up when you rush him. Even if you don't knock it down, it disrupts the vision of the quarterback and the receivers have trouble seeing the pass come out. But that's not easy against him."

HIGH ON HAKA

New Mexico State is taking its haka public — sort of.

Following a trend popularized by UH, the Aggies began performing the haka before games. But while the Warriors perform the Maori war dance on the field, the Aggies would do theirs privately in a patio behind the locker room.

In a road game against Texas-El Paso last year, the Aggies danced near a ramp — in view of their fans. At the fans' request, the Aggies will still dance in the patio, although now it will be shown on the JumboTron at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Starting left-side linebacker La'auli Fonoti, a Kahuku High graduate who used to perform at the Polynesian Cultural Center, taught his teammates the haka. He also serves as the lead performer.

"He goes full out," wideout Chris Williams said. "He's slapping and screaming. Do that before a game, and you'll be ready."

Safety Derrick Richardson said it took half a season to learn it.

"It's hard to do the gestures and the faces," Richardson said.

Williams added: "You can't be smiling. You have to have a mean warrior look. It's good to do. It helps us learn another culture. It brings you together as a team."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.