RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Hawaii defensive lineman Isaac Sopoaga brought down Tulsa running back Eric Richardson during last night's game.
Cockheran finally breaks out
Hawaii wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran more than doubled his season's offensive production in the first half of last night's 37-14 victory over Tulsa.
Cockheran, who worked his way into the starting lineup against Nevada last week, came into the game with six receptions for 68 yards. In last night's first half, he had six receptions for 73 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass from Tim Chang for a 16-0 lead.
The 6-foot, 193-pound junior from Fontana, Calif., didn't catch a pass in the second half.
Justin Colbert, Cockheran's teammate at Miller High School, had seven catches for 103 yards. Colbert played quarterback in high school.
"The light finally went on in my head," said Cockheran. "It's important for me to help the team any way I can, catching, throwing blocks. Everybody has been kind of waiting for me to have a breakout game and it finally happened.
"And there's more to come. There's always more to come."
Cockheran is a transfer from Chaffey College in California.
"Things just clicked for us last week in the first quarter against Nevada, and we had a great week of practice, so the lights have come on in everyone's heads. We're having fun out there," he said.
Cockheran's effort wasn't lost on receivers coach Ron Lee, who said, "He's improving every day and now he's getting his shot."
Pass happy: Hawaii passed on its first 15 plays.
The Warriors didn't run until Shawn Withy-Allen came in for a quarterback sneak on third-and-1 at the Tulsa 35 with 5:00 left in the first quarter. Withy-Allen ran for 4 yards to keep UH's first touchdown drive alive.
That was UH's only running play of the first half, and the Warriors didn't run again until Josh Galeai carried for 3 yards to the Tulsa 2 late in the third quarter (UH lost the ball on downs).
New kid in huddle: An unfamiliar face appeared early and often at running back for Hawaii, as little-used Galeai was in the lineup ahead of much more heralded challengers for playing time such as Michael Brewster and John West.
Galeai, who had appeared in only three games entering this season, but looked good in garbage time last week, took a pass from Chang 18 yards for his first career touchdown late in the second quarter to make the score 23-0 heading into the half.
"The line blocked that so well, that was like the biggest open screen play ever," Galeai said. "I mean, (center) Lui Fuata, I could have given him the ball and scored. I just stayed right behind him, and it was like, glory."
Galeai downplayed his rapid rise through the depth chart, saying his play was due to injuries to several other running backs.
"It felt good to get in there. Everybody's hurt, so it was my chance."
Going for it: UH coach June Jones took a chance and then played it close to the vest during UH's first drive of the game.
Chang completed a 10-yard pass to Britton Komine on fourth-and-3 at the Tulsa 25.
But then two incompletes stalled the drive, setting up another fourth-and-3, this time at the Hurricane 8. Jones elected to kick, and Justin Ayat made a 25-yard field goal.
The Warriors went for it on fourth down again with 12:12 before halftime, facing fourth-and-2 at the Hurricane 40. This time, Chang hit Komine with an 18-yard completion.
Chang drilled a TD pass to Cockheran on the next play, giving UH a 16-0 lead.
Injury report: Hawaii starting safety Hyrum Peters left with a stinger injury for the second consecutive game.
UH backup safety Leonard Peters also did not return for the second half, due to a bruised abdomen. Leonard Peters may have aggravated abdomen injuries he suffered during fall camp.
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