When it comes to the University of Hawai'i receiving corps, quarterback Colt Brennan is just as quick to pass out the praise as he is to pass the ball.

"They make me look good," said Brennan, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

The starting foursome of Jason Rivers, Davone Bess, Ryan Grice-Mullins and C.J. Hawthorne has combined for 4,403 yards and 43 touchdowns this season.

Grice-Mullins, Bess and Rivers are just the second trio in NCAA (Division I) history to record 1,000 receiving yards each in the same season.

"Me, Rivers, Davone and Ryan, we've been together for three years now, so we're all on the same page," Brennan said.

Grice-Mullins, a 5-foot-11, 179-pound junior slotback, leads the bunch with 1,335 yards on 100 receptions with 12 touchdowns. The Rialto, Calif., native is fifth nationally in receiving yards per game (111.2) and sixth in receptions per game (8.3).

"He's very workman-like," said receivers' coach Ron Lee. "He finds ways to get open and create opportunities for Colt to get him the ball."

Lining up opposite of Grice-Mullins is junior slotback Bess (5-10, 195). The Oakland, Calif., native has caught 101 passes for 1,213 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named second team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation and third team All-American by Rivals.com. Bess is fifth in the nation in receptions per game (8.4) and 10th in yards per game (101.1).

"Davone is so good because he puts in the work," said Brennan. "He's always one of the first guys out (at practice). He loves this game and he plays every game like it's his last."

The Warriors' biggest pass-catcher is "X" receiver Rivers. The 6-2, 192-pound senior from Honolulu has 82 grabs for 1,069 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Rivers ranks eighth nationally in receptions per game (7.4) and 16th in yards per game (97.2).

"He's such a great weapon to have on any football team. The guy is big, strong, fast and has great hands," said Brennan.

"They're awesome," said Hawthorne of the trio. "They all can run routes, catch the ball and make people miss after they catch the ball. I think they're the best group of receivers in the nation."

Hawthorne, a 5-foot-11, 161-pound senior from Gulfport, Miss., starts at the "Z" receiver, and is said to have the best hands out of the group.

Hawthorne, who played cornerback last season, has 786 receiving yards on 57 catches with six touchdowns. Like Grice-Mullins and Bess, Hawthorne has started every game this season.

"He's been outstanding. Especially in a system like this, that's hard to do," said Grice-Mullins. "He's been a big part of our success this season; can't say enough about him."

The Warriors' run-and-shoot offense throws 70 percent of the time and the receivers almost never take plays off.

"We run so many routes in practice that we're used to playing all game," said Bess. "We're all playmakers and we want to be on the field."

Grice-Mullins and Bess were named first-team All-Western Athletic Conference, but commissioner Karl Benson gave a special award for the Offensive Unit of the Year to Brennan and the four receivers.

"That was really special. We're not about honors and awards, but it definitely felt nice for the WAC to recognize us," said Hawthorne.n

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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