Records fall into Lelie's hands

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

It started with a conversation over a card game Friday night.

Warrior receiver Ashley Lelie finished the game with nine receptions for 285 yards and three touchdowns. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Then came the discussion about the record. The best performance in UH history mark that, up until last night, was held by former UH receiver Dwight Carter.

"I stayed up late with him, just talking about it, that it was the one record he didn't have," Rolovich said. "What a coincidence, huh?"

Maybe not.

In Hawai'i's 52-30 rout over Air Force at Aloha Stadium, Lelie did more than just break that record. He proved to everyone — coaches, critics, and the more than 38,000 fans in attendance — that he is a big-time, prime-time player. No question.

He posted a school-record 285 yards receiving with nine grabs, averaging 31.7 yards per catch. This is his second game with three touchdown receptions, tying the school record for most in a game — again.

He surpassed Walter Murray to become the school's all-time leading receiver with 186 catches for 3,079 yards. And he did that on a 22-yard grab in the first quarter.

His 53-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter broke the school record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,451.

This was Lelie's second game with more than 200 yards receiving this season, the sixth with more than 100. He still owns the school record for most touchdown catches in a career with 30, a record that stood for more than a decade.

Prior to the start of the game, Lelie was already leading the league in receiving yards per game with 116.6, good for fifth in the nation.

Need any more proof?

"He's just got unbelievable talent," said fellow wideout senior Craig Stutzmann, who had 30 yards on five grabs and a touchdown. "He's so fast, got speed, has good control of his body, great leaping ability, great timing. It's a treat to see a guy like that play."

And in a game where the opponent had a mere 58 passing yards — just four completed passes — Lelie's accomplishments seemed that much more magnified.

"The win is more important, but the records are sweet," Lelie said. "I knew what I had to do to break the record, but the focus was on the win. I knew if we played good as a team, I could break the records."

He quickly credited the stellar performance of Rolovich, who threw for a career-high 505 yards, completing 30-of-46 attempts.

"I was wide open and Rolo was hitting me between the numbers every time," Lelie said.

With an offensive line that gave him enough time to run plays and the patience to wait for an open receiver, Rolovich stuck with the passing game; UH posted just 67 yards rushing, compared to Air Force's 545 yards.

And when Lelie got the ball, he made things happen: He outsmarted strong corner Paul Mayo to reach the end zone in the second quarter to score his first touchdown, turning a quick pass into a 53-yard gain. In the third quarter, he converted another Rolovich pass into a 47-yard touchdown as he sprinted past weak corner Wes Crawley toward paydirt.

"Ashley can do all he can, but he's still gotta get the football to him," said UH head coach June Jones. "And Rolo did a great job."

By halftime, Rolovich has already amassed 306 yards, close to his average of 330 yards per game coming into last night matchup. This was his second 500-yard game.

Even in the small-yardage plays, Lelie came through for the Warriors. In the third quarter with Hawai'i up 31-21, Lelie caught a quick pass from Rolovich, turned and headed toward the first-down markers. Before being pushed out-of-bounds, he reached for the first down, placing the ball precisely at the 37 yardline. Simple, well done, textbook.

"He's more than we could handle, that's for sure," said Air Force head coach Fisher DeBerry. "He's a true All-American and a great receiver."

Lelie moved across the field after the game to the sounds of fans chanting his name. He didn't high-five them like Channon Harris or sign autographs like Rolovich. He just took it all in.

"I never imagined this," he said quietly. "I never imagined it to be this good."