When Nate Ilaoa moved from slotback to running back last year in Hawai'i's run-and-shoot offense, little did he know he would still set a school career receiving record.

On the Warriors' first play from scrimmage last night, the 5-foot-9, 254-pound senior stomped his way for a 26-yard gain off a shovel pass from quarterback Colt Brennan. The play not only paved the way to UH's first score, a 39-yard field goal by Dan Kelly, in a 54-17 win against San Jose State, it made Ilaoa UH's career leader in receiving yards by a running back.

Ilaoa entered the game with 870 career receiving yards. The old record of 895 was set by Gary Allen (1978 to 1981), who ironically played under then-UH coach Dick Tomey, who stood on the opposite sideline as SJSU's coach.

"It's good, but it's not only me," Ilaoa said. "It's my linemen, my quarterback, coaches and everything. It's something that comes along with teamwork."

After becoming a running back last year, did he think he'd own a receiving record in an offense in which he is relied on heavily to block?

"No, but it's a good thing, something I can be proud about and help me remember this team," Ilaoa said.

While Ilaoa has amassed a chunk of yardage off the shovel pass — it's more like a running play, except the exchange between the quarterback and the running back is forward, so it's considered a pass — he capped his night with a 19-yard TD catch from Brennan off a screen pass to the left with 7:10 left in the game to make it 54-17. Ilaoa had six receptions for 66 yards, giving him 936 for his career with three games to go.

Moreover, Ilaoa rushed for 100 yards on 12 carries, his third 100-yard rushing game of the season.

"He's a real talented player," UH running backs coach Wes Suan said. "He started off as a receiver, so obviously he's multi-talented."

Suan said Ilaoa worked hard in the offseason with strength coach Mel deLaura to work on improving his agility and speed.

Brennan can appreciate Ilaoa's record. He knows he's been a beneficiary of the flick-of-the- wrist shovel pass that Ilaoa basically does most of the, well, leg work.

"A lot of our pass plays are like run plays and I get credited with a pass," said Brennan, who passed for 402 yards and five TDs last night. "I know he leads in receiving, but if we were in a run-type offense that had a standard running game, he'd be getting those yards on the ground instead of in the air."

Ilaoa is amazed that he gets a good share of throws his way, and is especially fond of the shovel pass.

"If you think about it, there's five guys out there and one ball," Ilaoa said. "Colt does such a good job with everybody. But that play's a lock for me, so I'm happy for that."

The shovel passes serve other purposes. Defenses have to be aware of the play, while still figuring out where the four receivers are going.

"When guys have to watch for screens, they're tentative about coming up real hard," Brennan said. "That's why a lot of times teams have trouble blitzing us because when they're blitzing, we're doing the little shovel pass. It's just how this offense works."

After the TD pass to Ilaoa, Brennan expressed his appreciation.

"On the last play, it's funny, but we've been saying this all the time," Brennan said. "I walk over and say, 'Thanks a lot, Nate, you're making me look great.' "

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.