It isn't just in Hälawa on Saturday nights that they have come to prize the remarkable skills of University of Hawai'i junior slotbacker Greg Salas.

Time zones beyond, people who, until recently, didn't know a Warrior from a Rainbow or whether UH plays in the WAC or MAC are singing his praises and touting his mounting statistics.

People who, to heck with whether the Warriors become bowl-eligible or not, value Salas for his Midas worth as a fantasy league player.

Those who hadn't latched on to Salas early have seen the light since ESPN analyst Rod Gilmore made him a featured pick last week.

Gilmore and play-by-play partner Joe Tessitore have a weekly on-air college fantasy competition in which they match three-player teams — a quarterback, receiver and running back — against each other based upon statistics. It is intended, Gilmore says, to highlight players not featured in marquee TV games that week.

It mirrors the behind-the-scenes nine-member competition they are engaged in among their broadcast crew.

Salas was Gilmore's receiver pick last week and, after a suitable on-air buildup, he brought a bountiful return with a school-record 16 catches for 196 yards and a touchdown in the 24-6 victory over New Mexico State.

"He bailed me out," Gilmore said.

And not a moment too soon for the former Stanford University defensive back. Not only was Gilmore sagging in the standings but his ability to pick receivers had made him the subject of some ridicule by the crew. "The joke around the crew is that I'm the (Sports Illustrated) jinx for receivers," Gilmore said.

One week Syracuse receiver Mike Williams was suspended before the game. Another week Oklahoma State receiver Dez Bryant was injured.

Salas suffered a sprained right foot but not only finished the game, he did it with a flourish to take the NCAA lead in receiving yards at an average of 136 per game.

"I've been tracking him for a while," Gilmore said. "I saw one of his games on TV, have seen him on tape when I've studied film on Boise State and Nevada, and have been following his statistics."

Gilmore's only regret is that the rules of their competition require them to change players each week.

Fortunately for UH, it has Salas for at least three more games this season.