Sophomore receiver and kickoff returner Malcolm Lane touched the football just twice last night, but, oh, did he make an impression.

With the Warriors struggling to find a rhythm against a surprisingly game Utah State squad, it was Lane who delivered, both in quick fashion, two of the game's key plays.

With the Warriors trailing 13-10 after a 36-yard field goal by Utah State's Peter Caldwell, Lane lined up for the ensuing kickoff with the sole intent, he said, of doing something positive for his team.

Lane caught the ball on the 13-yard line and took off.

"When I picked it up, I didn't know where anybody was because I had my head down," Lane said. "I just ran straight and then the kickoff team for Utah State broke down. They surrounded me, so I went inside and I saw a little crease to the left and I just hit it out."

Lane emerged from the tumult with nothing but open field ahead.

"When I saw the guy on my right so far away, I knew I had it," said Lane, who deferred credit to his blockers. "It's the guys up front who open up those holes and all I have to do is run it through. They're the ones who do all the hard work and grind it every day."

Lane's 87-yard touchdown gave UH a 17-13 lead and some much needed momentum.

The Warriors led 31-20 early in the third, but with quarterback Colt Brennan lost for the game with an injury and the Aggies gaining confidence after a 66-yard touchdown drive the previous possession, it was again up to Lane to turn the tide.

Lane received the kickoff at the 6-yard line and flew 37 yards until finally being tackled by kicker Chris Ulinski.

"That was really irritating," Lane said. "Knowing I only had one man to beat — that hurts. After I returned that kickoff for a touchdown, I felt invincible. But after getting tackled by that guy, I realized that I wasn't invincible."

Still, the return gave reserve quarterback Tyler Graunke solid field position, which he used to full advantage in a two-play touchdown drive that put the Warriors ahead, 38-20.

Lane said the two returns helped take the edge off his disappointing night as a receiver.

"I really didn't do much on the offensive end," he said. "But I'm glad I was able to contribute in some way tonight."

Lane considers himself a better wide receiver than a kickoff returner, and he said he's willing to wait his turn in order to prove it. In the meantime, his ability and potential have not been overlooked by the coaching staff.

"He's a great one," said assistant coach Dennis McKnight. "He's a great returner and he's becoming a great receiver. Speed kills and he's got great speed and great instincts. He's only a sophomore and he's going to get better and better."

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.