FRESNO, Calif. >> It's not that Justin Colbert is having a bad season. In fact, even before last night's career night of 11 catches and 188 yards, Colbert was doing pretty well. This was his third 100-plus receiving yardage game in a row. Consistent Colbert
has a spectacular game
Finally Road Warriors
By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comBut Colbert was always somewhat overshadowed by teammates making big plays while the senior, who is a third-year starter, plugged along consistently.
Last night he was consistent, yes -- but also spectacular, and at just the right time.
He didn't catch the game-winner, but Colbert's 58-yard scoring catch from Tim Chang ended a three-quarter touchdown drought, which is a lifetime by run-and-shoot standards. The play sparked the Warriors' 22-point fourth-quarter scoring binge.
It ended with Colbert and his former high school teammate, Jeremiah Cockheran, embracing on the sideline. Cockheran came up big, too, with five catches for 112 yards.
"It feels great, man. Everybody said it couldn't be done," Colbert said of beating Fresno State at Bulldog Stadium. "But when we got down everybody stuck together and played as a team. No matter how much we get down, everybody on this team sticks together. And we came out with the victory."
Center Lui Fuata said Colbert kept the Warriors going throughout the second half.
"Justin inspired us. He had kind of an off game the past couple weeks, but he made the plays when we needed plays to be made," Fuata said.
Hawaii coach June Jones said the receivers have come into their own as a group.
"Britton Komine and Nate Ilaoa made some big catches for us, and of course Justin made some great clutch plays," Jones said. "Justin did a great job. I'm happy for him."
And running back John West's 81-yard run to cap the scoring was the Warriors' longest rush of the season.
The outstanding play of Colbert and Cockheran also set up the game-winner to Komine.
"They opened up the middle to cover Justin and Jeremiah," Komine said. "I just got off my guy and hit the post. Timmy stood in there and threw it right on the money and made it happen.
"We had a lot of guys step up," Komine added. "All the receivers stepped up."
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