Receiver Lelie is an All-American

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i wide receiver Ashley Lelie has been selected to the Football News All-America third team.

•	UH football • WHO/WHEN: Saturday, Air Force, 6:05 p.m. • WHERE: Aloha Stadium. • TICKETS: $24 sideline, $20 south end zone, $20 north end zone adult, $16 north end zone senior citizen, $16 north end zone student, UH Super Rooter $3. • Parking: $3. • Gates open: 2:30 p.m. parking lot, 3 p.m. turnstile. • TV: 10 p.m. K5 • RADIO: 4:30 p.m. KCCN (1420 AM); 6 p.m. 107.9 FM

Lelie, a junior from Radford High, has 67 catches for 1,166 yards and 14 touchdowns. He leads the Western Athletic Conference and is fifth nationally in receiving, averaging 116.6 yards per game.

Associate editor Alain Poupart said his staff, which selects the national winners, noticed that Lelie's name kept appearing among the NCAA statistical leaders.

But it was in the Warriors' nationally televised 38-34 victory over Fresno State, ranked No. 18 at the time, that won over the Football News staff.

"Everybody came away impressed," Poupart said. "It validated his numbers. You can see a guy get big numbers against mediocre opponents. In his case, he's a big-time player who happens to play at a rather remote school."

Poupart said he was impressed with UH's schedule, saying, "That's a very good team with a good record. He has certainly helped them."

Against Fresno State, Lelie scored the winning touchdown when he soared for a pass from Nick Rolovich. Blanketed by two defenders, Lelie managed to land with one foot in the end zone.

In last week's 52-51 victory over Miami (Ohio), Lelie had six catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns, including a one-handed grab in the back of the end zone.

• Many thanks: In the spirit of this holiday, several Warriors counted their blessings.

"I'm thankful for just being able to wake up in the morning," wideout Justin Colbert said. "I'm really blessed to come out here and play football every day."

Middle linebacker Chris Brown expressed thanks to his parents, who help raise his son. If it were not for their help, he said, he would not be able to attend school.

"I probably would be doing some labor work," he said. "I definitely wouldn't be behind a desk making a lot of money. I'm thankful for being here."

UH coach June Jones, who was critically injured in a car accident in February, said: "I'm thankful for just being able to eat another Thanksgiving Day meal. I'm thankful for being here."

UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said: "I'm thankful for a lot of things. I'm thankful for my health. I'm thankful for my family's health. I'm thankful to be around the wonderful people in Hawai'i."

Then Lempa, remembering last week's 52-51 victory over Miami (Ohio), added, "I'm thankful I don't have to see that Miami quarterback again."

• Musical linebackers: While weak-side linebacker Keani Alapa said his injured right shoulder has improved, the coaches believe it is doubtful he will play Saturday against Air Force.

"It doesn't look good," Lempa said.

Said Alapa: "If they say I can't play, then that's what happens. But I really want to finish the season off."

If Alapa does not play, UH has two options: Move strong-side linebacker Matt Wright to Alapa's spot or start 17-year-old redshirt freshman Patrick Lavar Harley at weak-side linebacker. If Wright plays on the weak side, then safety Robert Grant will play strong-side linebacker.

"It doesn't matter to me where I play," said Grant, a senior who joined UH as a running back and also returned kicks before moving to safety.

Grant started at linebacker against Rice, another run-option team. He usually comes in at safety when the Warriors use five defensive backs, allowing safety Nate Jackson to move to nickelback.

"It keeps me on my toes," Grant said of the different positions. "I like all of them."

Harley said he wants an opportunity to play. Harley, who turns 18 in January, started first grade when he was 4, allowing him to be in the same class with his older brother, Michael. He graduated from Maui High when he was 16, and joined UH as a walk-on last year.

"I should still be in high school, but it wouldn't be as much fun," he said. "This is way more challenging. I'm glad I'm here. I like playing against higher competition."

He said he knows his body needs to mature, but for now, "I can't have any milk, because I have a cold."