UH's Rivers discovers practice makes perfect

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

In the University of Hawai'i's previous home game against Louisiana Tech, receiver Jason Rivers' touchdown reception drew large applause from the Aloha Stadium crowd. Much to his chagrin, the cheers were directed at quarterback Tim Chang for becoming the all-time career passing leader.

Jason Rivers is congratulated by Brandon Eaton after Rivers caught his second touchdown pass of the second quarter. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

But not last night. The 6-foot-1, 189-pound sophomore receiver had a school-record four TD receptions in the Warriors' 52-21 win against Idaho. The accolades were definitely aimed at Rivers.

"It felt great," he said.

With great plays come the cheers. But Rivers has learned you're only as good as how hard you work the week building up to game time.

"He's learned how to practice and he's bringing it to the game," UH receivers coach Ron Lee said. "Before, he was a little too nonchalant. But he's picked it up and he's making plays."

Rivers has learned there is a correlation to practice and performance. He isn't just going through the motions any more.

"I'm going into practice trying not to make any mistakes so come game time, I'm mentally sound and I'll be that much more confident when I'm running my routes."

The improvement isn't lost on UH coach Junes Jones.

"He's concentrating more, studying film," Jones said. "He's acting like a pro."

Which just might be his future, if he can keep up the work.

"Jason played outstanding today," said Chang, also a Saint Louis School product. "He showed the potential he has and what he's going to become. He's young and really talented. He'll probably end up being one of the best receivers to come out of Hawai'i."

Rivers tied a season-high with nine catches for a season-high 167 yards with TD receptions of 27, 22, 16 and 15 yards. It was the fourth consecutive game he had at least eight catches.

"It's the first time I ever had four (TD catches)," Rivers said. "In high school I had three."

Rivers' first TD catch of the night came just after the Vandals pulled ahead 7-3 with six minutes, 40 seconds left in the first quarter. The 72-yard drive lasted only three plays — a 13-yard catch by Gerald Welch and a 32-yard catch by Chad Owens — with Rivers taking in a 27-yarder to cap the 50 second scoring drive.

The Vandals regained the lead on their ensuing possession, going ahead 14-10 with 5:08 left in the first quarter. But the Chang-Rivers connection just beginning. After Darrell Tautofi's forced fumble that was recovered by Lui Fuga at the UH 36, the Warriors drove down and took the lead for good when Rivers' 22-yard TD reception capped an eight-play, 64-yard drive that put UH up 17-14. Rivers' third TD catch, a 16-yarder with 10:23 left in the half, made it 24-14.

A nine-yard TD catch by Britton Komine interrupted Rivers' streak. But with 3:19 left before halftime, Rivers made a 15-yard grab that put the Warriors up 38-21.

So how is it that the Warriors can light up the scoreboard at home, but not on the road? Although Rivers had eight catches at Fresno State in a 70-14 trouncing, he only had 54 yards and one TD.

"The crowd doesn't realize how big a role they play on how good we play," Rivers explained about the difference. "It really shouldn't matter, but (the home fans) do actually give us more of a boost, give us that much more of a swagger, that much more confidence. When we're on the road, we miss that. But we try."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.