Komine makes the All Hawaii receiver Britton Komine needed was a chance.
most of his starting
opportunity
Sidelines
Warriors romp
Wolf Pack caught in a whirlwind
By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAfter an all-state high school career, the sophomore languished in relative anonymity his first two seasons for the Warriors, knowing he could contribute to the team but content to bide his time.
And when injuries to two of his fellow receivers pushed him into the starting lineup last night, Komine was ready.
"(Hawaii) Coach (June) Jones said that's when stars are born," Komine said, "when somebody steps up to the line, like (former UH quarterback) Nick Rolovich and guys like that."
In his first start of the season, Komine left the Nevada secondary smoldering in catching eight passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns in the Warriors' 59-34 victory at Aloha Stadium.
"When I went out there I wasn't nervous, I was having fun," Komine said. "That's why I came to UH, that's why I came to play under Coach Jones, nights like these."
Komine's opportunity came when receivers Nate Ilaoa and Clifton Herbert went down with shoulder injuries. He was told of his starting assignment just before kickoff last night.
His yardage output was the third-highest single-game total in UH history, trailing only Ashley Lelie's performances against Air Force (285 yards) and Brigham Young (262) last season.
The Maryknoll graduate was part of a Hawaii offensive explosion that produced 674 total yards, 520 coming through the air.
By the time the first quarter was over, Hawaii had 42 points on the board and Komine had 171 yards next to his name.
"Our offense is a quick-score offense," Komine said. "We get at them early and that's what we did tonight."
Komine started Hawaii's scoring barrage on the game's first play from scrimmage.
Komine got behind the Nevada secondary and quarterback Tim Chang hit him in stride for a 72-yard touchdown strike to stun the Wolf Pack 20 seconds into the game.
"Hawaii did what we expected, but that wheel route was a surprise," Nevada coach Chris Tormey said.
The Warriors' offensive coaches diagrammed the play the previous night and Komine and Chang executed it to perfection, setting the tone for the most productive offensive evening in school history.
"My eyes lit up," Chang said of seeing Komine streak by the Wolf Pack defenders. "It was a set play, the guys were taking off and it was a big bang to start off the game."
Komine later set up Hawaii's fourth touchdown of the first quarter with a 45-yard reception taking the ball to the Nevada 4. Michael Brewster scored two plays later.
Komine then closed the first period by pulling in a 54-yard scoring strike from Shawn Withy-Allen.
"He ran good routes and he caught everything that was thrown to him," UH receivers coach Ron Lee said.
Komine's performance wasn't a complete surprise to Chang, who played against Komine in high school. Komine set state high school records for receptions in a game (17), in a season (94) and receiving yards in a season (1,136).
"He's a big-time player," Chang said. "When he was at Pac-Five he used to give it to us at St. Louis, he was a one-man team. He played great tonight and my hat is off to him."
Komine redshirted his first year at UH and played in just one game last season. He worked his way into the rotation this season and caught 10 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns in the Warriors' first five games.
But the coaches knew he had bigger nights ahead of him.
"I'm so proud and happy for Britt," Lee said. "He waited for his chance, never complained and worked hard in practice and then he got his shot and he stepped up."
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