Colbert sets receiving record, hopes for shot at Hula Bowl

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer

UH wide receiver Justin Colbert is off and running after snaring a pass from Shawn Withy-Allen and turning it into a 57-yard touchdown in the fourth period. The play came on fourth down. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The senior from Rialto, Calif., caught nine passes for 158 yards and scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in Hawai'i's 36-28 loss yesterday at Aloha Stadium.

Colbert finished the season with 92 catches, breaking Ashley Lelie's single season reception record (84) set in 2001. He also added to his career reception record, finishing with 212 receptions. The previous record was set by Lelie (194) in 1999-01.

But despite the accolades, Colbert was not offered an invitation to play in the Hula Bowl at War Memorial Stadium in Kahului, Maui, on Feb. 1. Teammates Pisa Tinoisamoa, Vince Manuwai, Chris Brown, Lui Fuata, Laanui Correa and Sean Butts will play in the Hula Bowl.

"He deserves to be in there," Hawai'i coach June Jones said of Colbert. "I thought he and (punter) Mat McBriar are going to get shots at the next level. They certainly should be able to play in (the Hula Bowl). Hopefully the people will reconsider."

Colbert said the Hula Bowl would be a great way to showcase his talents one more time.

"It would be good," Colbert said. "I'll have another chance to play in Hawai'i again. Hopefully it will give me a little more exposure. I just want another chance to play football. I look forward to the honor if they accept me."

Colbert and backup quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen connected on touchdown passes of 57 and 31 yards in the fourth quarter.

Colbert also caught several key passes, including a 39-yard catch on third-and-14 to set up Hawai'i's first touchdown in the first quarter, and a 11-yard reception on third-and-10 to set up Hawai'i's second touchdown in the second quarter.

"He showed today that he's a big-time player," Withy-Allen said. "I was trying to find ways to get him the ball. He made some huge plays."

Colbert's first touchdown came on fourth-and-1 on Hawai'i's 43-yard line with 13:26 left in the game. Withy-Allen rocketed a pass to Colbert on the mauka sideline, and Colbert did the rest, sprinting past a safety who gambled for the interception and missed.

"I just reared back and just threw it," said Withy-Allen, who got knocked to the turf on the play. "I was on the ground and I heard cheers. I knew he caught it. I didn't realize he went all the way until the very end."

Eight minutes later, Withy-Allen found Colbert with a short pass on third-and-10 on Tulane's 31-yard line. Colbert sliced through two defenders and raced into the end zone.

"I was just trying to get the ball and turn it upfield as quick as I could get it," Colbert said. "Most of the time everybody is still covering their guy in coverage and I can get the maximum number of yards. I seen two guys coming and I tried to split them. All I was thinking was getting into the end zone."

Hawai'i wide receivers coach Ron Lee said Colbert played well all season long and showed his game-breaking ability against Tulane.

Entering yesterday's game, Colbert was 16th in the country in receptions per game (6.38) and 25th nationally in receiving yards per game (88.0).

"He's so much quicker after the catch," Lee said. "He made some great runs today. We're hoping he can get into the Hula Bowl. That's what we're working on right now. He's one of the best receivers in the country. He's got the numbers."