Warriors in good hands with receiving corps

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

As far as the University of Hawai'i receivers are concerned, one size fits all.

Neal Gossett brings in a 40-yard touchdown pass from Shawn Withy-Allen in the second period. The score helped give UH a 28-17 lead. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We know the next guy is just as good and will do the job," said Neal Gossett, a surprise starter at wide receiver last night. "I think it's a better situation. It makes it harder for the defenses because we can bring in just about anybody to play at anytime."

Because of injuries throughout this season, the receivers have rotated in and out of the lineup. Last night was no exception.

Projected starting wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran sat out with a groin injury, allowing Gossett to start. Nate Ilaoa started at slotback, but left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, allowing Clifton Herbert to make a clutch 41-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

"We have so much depth, it doesn't matter who's in there," said Herbert. "We all feel like we're capable of starting."

Added slotback Britton Komine, who caught his team-leading seventh touchdown last night: "There's competition for all four (receiver) positions. In practice, we all work with the first team and that just carries over to the game."

The one constant this season has been senior Justin Colbert. He is the only receiver to start every game.

Last night, he proved his worth with a team-high 11 receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. It was one reception short of the UH record.

"I just feel like it's my job to make plays," Colbert said. "I didn't realize I caught that many passes, but I guess over the course of the game, it just built up."

According to the UH receivers, the San Jose State defensive backs stayed in a deep zone throughout the game. That allowed for mostly short passes in front of the defenders.

"We just took what they gave us," said Gossett, who finished with seven receptions for a career-high 119 yards. "They stayed in that zone pretty much all game, so we just found our spots."

Gossett caught one of the few deep passes of the night — a 40-yard touchdown from Shawn Withy-Allen.

Herbert's 41-yard reception from Tim Chang in the fourth quarter set up a crucial 19-yard field goal by Justin Ayat that put UH ahead 33-24 with 7:19 remaining in the game.

"I wouldn't say there's any one play designed for a specific (receiver)," Herbert said. "It's just a matter of getting open. Timmy got me the ball on that play and I caught it."

Of the five receivers to catch passes last night (Colbert, Gossett, Herbert, Komine and Ilaoa), not one is taller than 5 feet 10.

"We take that as a challenge," Gossett said. "Everybody thinks we're little and can't make big plays. It's a good feeling to prove them wrong."

They also proved their worth to Ashley Lelie, last season's record-setting receiver who was on the UH sideline last night on a break from the Denver Broncos.

"He's a good friend and he did some critiquing and helping me out," Colbert said. "But I think we showed him we're all right."