Most humiliating ever, one Fresno State player said. Maddening, another added. Worst loss yet, a Bulldog echoed.

Say any bad word or any negative phrase, and it would accurately describe Fresno State's performance Saturday. Probably the Bulldogs' entire season. Heck, throw in the last four games of last season, too.

Fresno State lost 68-37 to Hawaii before an announced crowd of 39,122 on homecoming, closing one chapter on close losses but starting a new one under brutal beatings.

The 68 points were the most allowed in coach Pat Hill's 10 seasons, the most allowed in Bulldog Stadium history, and extended Fresno State's losing streak to five. The Bulldogs have lost nine of their past 10 games dating to last season.

"Personally, to me it's by far No.1," safety Josh Sherley said when asked where Saturday's loss ranked. "I mean at home, to give up that many yards, to perform the way we did, that was a very heart-wrenching loss to take. I swore this wouldn't happen my senior year. It's like it's out of control."

Like Fresno State's season, Saturday only got worse as it progressed. Fresno State trailed 21-7 by the end of the first quarter, 42-17 at halftime and 62-23 at the end of the third quarter before the Warriors inserted their backups for almost all of the fourth.

The Warriors had 13 possessions. They scored a touchdown 10 times.

Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan completed 32 of 39 passes for 409 yards and five touchdowns for the 10th-highest scoring offense in the nation.

The onslaught kept going even with backup Tyler Graunke, who completed all five of his passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, and Hawaii continuing to throw deep despite the big lead.

Two seasons ago, Hawaii suffered a 70-14 loss at Bulldog Stadium.

"We ran into an offensive buzz saw," Hill said.

Pick your blame for Fresno State's defensive woes -- poor pass rush, horrible pass coverage, pathetic tackling.

"Our 'D' got shredded," Sherley said. "That was embarrassing."

Blame running back Dwayne Wright, who halted two of Fresno State's first four drives with fumbles.

Offensively -- even with backup quarterback Sean Norton electrifying the crowd by making his college debut and playing solidly in place of starter Tom Brandstater -- Fresno State was incapable of keeping pace with Hawaii.

"We are not built to score like that," Hill said.

Fresno State's passing game looked improved. Norton completed 14 of 24 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns to one interception -- all better numbers than what Brandstater has done in each of his past five outings.

But the only thing Fresno State seems to have gotten better at is making this one of the worst in Hill's 10 seasons. It's a stretch to say Fresno State still can make it to an eighth straight bowl game with the Bulldogs needing to win five of their final six games just to become bowl eligible. They go on the road next week against nationally ranked Louisiana State, then visit nationally ranked Boise State.

And the Bulldogs' aspiration for a Western Athletic Conference title is all but dead, needing serious help to somehow get into a tie for first.

"We have no control over anything except getting better," Hill said. "It's down to that. I'm being realistic. We came into this season with very high hopes, like we always do.

"We're not doing a great job. But we're not going to throw in the towel. We're not going to tap out. It's not a train wreck. ... We, by no means, are we putting this season to bed."

The reason fans appeared to stick around Saturday -- many left once Hawaii pulled ahead 55-23 with 7:26 left in the third quarter -- was to see Norton.

The sophomore, who is listed at 5-foot-11 but appears to be a couple inches shorter, threw a touchdown on his first drive and brought Fresno State within 28-14.

A once-silent stadium erupted, the Bulldogs sideline bounced up and down and for the first time since Fresno State's season-opening win against Nevada, the Bulldogs had a balanced offense.

Brandstater, who injured his knee in the second quarter but could have returned, completed four of five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. He picked up 75 of those yards on one scoring strike to tight end Bear Pascoe.

Hill said he was not ready to name Norton the starter but said he should have a decision made Monday.