Notre Dame is the only bowl team playing a true road game in the postseason -- matching up against Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl -- but the destination should help energize the team after a poor finish to the regular season.

"I guess Hawaii probably adds a little more excitement and a little more wind under the sail for a lot of guys because some guys would never imagine going to Hawaii in the first place, let alone to play under the sun and make that long, long trip," said senior free safety David Bruton.

"It's more attractive than Houston or something like that."

The Irish lost four of their final five games -- barely holding on to beat Navy during that stretch -- and now will try to end a nine-game bowl losing streak that has become another source of discomfort for Notre Dame fans.

Hawaii doesn't have the explosive offensive it had last season when Colt Brennan was at quarterback, but the Warriors enter the bowl game as a slight favorite. Hawaii was 7-6 in the regular season and nearly upset Big East champ Cincinnati in the finale, but squandered a fourth-quarter lead.

At least Notre Dame (6-6) doesn't have the status of coach Charlie Weis hanging over the program. Athletic director Jack Swarbrick, while not endorsing the results of this season, announced he is bringing back Weis with the instruction that Notre Dame had better start competing for BCS bids.

That process for 2009 can start with a win in Honolulu.

"It's the final shot that I have to leave my mark," Bruton said. "And I care a lot about the guys, and I want to prepare them and springboard them into a positive start for the next season. So it's a bit selfish on my end, but also selfless as well."

SEASON RECAP

Notre Dame 21, San Diego State 13: The Irish scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns after Notre Dame safety David Bruton potentially saved the game by forcing and recovering a fumble near the goal line. Jimmy Clausen, who threw for 237 yards, connected with Golden Tate and David Grimes for fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Notre Dame 35, Michigan 17: The Irish took advantage of six Michigan turnovers, using the first two for short touchdown drives in the first four minutes, to avenge a 38-0 loss to the Wolverines a year earlier. The Irish led 28-17 at halftime and kept Michigan at bay through a second-half downpour.

Michigan State 23, Notre Dame 7: Michigan State running back Javon Ringer made another national splash with 201 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries. Notre Dame closed to 13-7 on the first play of the fourth quarter. But the Irish later missed a field goal, and then Ringer ripped off a 63-yard run on a touchdown drive that made it 23-7 for the Spartans.

Notre Dame 38, Purdue 21: Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw for a career-high 275 yards with three touchdowns, and Armando Allen ran for 134 yards as the Irish offense showed signs of life. Three third-quarter touchdowns allowed Notre Dame to take control of a game that was tied 14-14 at halftime.

Notre Dame 28, Stanford 21: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw for a career-high 347 yards, helping stake the Irish to a 28-7 lead. The Cardinal came back with two fourth-quarter touchdowns, but Notre Dame, which had five sacks, came through with a late stop on downs to preserve its seventh consecutive win over Stanford.

North Carolina 29, Notre Dame 24: The Tar Heels overcame a 19-7 halftime deficit by coming up with four second-half takeaways. Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen threw for a career-high 383 yards but was sacked four times and he threw two interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown to start the second half.

Notre Dame 33, Washington 7: The Irish made life miserable for former ND coach Tyrone Willingham, dropping the Huskies to 0-7 with an all-around effort. The defense was especially stout, entering the fourth quarter having given up only 51 yards.

Pitt 36, Notre Dame 33: The Panthers survived a four-overtime thriller when Conor Lee hit a 22-yard field after Notre Dame's Brandon Walker missed from 38. The Irish led 17-3 at halftime, but scored only one touchdown after that, including the overtimes.

Boston College 17, Notre Dame 0: Boston College's Paul Anderson intercepted Jimmy Clausen twice -- returning one for a touchdown and stopping a threat with a pick in the end zone -- as the Eagles won their sixth consecutive game in the series. Notre Dame held Boston College to 246 yards, but the difference was turnovers. The Irish committed five; Boston College none.

Notre Dame 27, Navy 21: The Irish used a strong and persistent running attack to outgain Navy 230-178 on the ground, building a seemingly insurmountable 27-7 lead with less than two minutes left. But the Midshipmen scored twice within 18 seconds, and had a chance to win after recovering their second on-side kick. Notre Dame held on downs.

Syracuse 24, Notre Dame 23: The Orange upset the Irish by overcoming a 23-10 fourth-quarter deficit, including scoring a touchdown with 42 seconds left on a touchdown pass from Cameron Dantley, son of former Notre Dame and NBA great Adrian Dantley. Notre Dame nearly pulled out the victory, but Brandon Walker missed a 53-yard field at the buzzer.

Southern California 38, Notre Dame 3: The Irish ended up being a sparring partner again for USC, whose defense was totally dominant. Notre Dame failed to gain a first down until the final play of the third quarter and managed just 91 total yards.

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