honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Sunday, November 25, 2001

Instincts lead Owens to end zone

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

The last time the University of Hawai'i football team returned a kickoff for a touchdown, it clinched a berth to the 1992 Holiday Bowl. And Chad Owens was 10 years old.

Although the Warriors aren't likely to get a bowl bid, Owens got in the UH record book with a 100-yard kickoff return in a 52-30 win over Air Force last night.

"When we got off the bus and we walked on the field, I had this feeling tonight was the night," Owens said. "I just seized the opportunity because I had a feeling that would be my last return, my last chance (in the game). I just went with my instinct. I wanted one. Thank God the blockers were there and I just made it happen."

Owens took the ball about four yards deep, but a rule change in statistic-keeping marks the kickoff from the goal line. So Owens had to settle for owning the second-longest return in UH history. Tommy Kaulukukui owns the UH record of a 103-yard return in 1935 against UCLA.

"Well, it doesn't matter," the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Roosevelt High graduate said. "We won the game. That's all that matters."

Still, it was a long time between kickoff returns for touchdowns for UH. A total of 417 kickoffs had gone by since Darrick Branch's touchdown return in 1992.

"I can't believe nobody's done it since then," Branch told The Advertiser at the Southern Methodist game on Oct. 6 in Dallas.

The touchdown return was a back-breaker for the Falcons, who had just got a field goal to pull to 38-24 with 14:41 left in the game.

Without hesitation, Owens came out running, as he has done frequently this season. The team leader in kickoff returns with 407 yards entering last night's game had a 65-yard return earlier this season.

"Most of the time I go by my instincts," Owens said of his decision to run a kickoff out of the end zone instead of settling for a touchback. "If I feel it, I feel it."

It was a left sideline return, so that's where Owens headed. He cut back toward the middle at about the 35. "I followed where my heart took me," he explained. Then made another cut-back toward the sideline, reading his blocks along the way.

"I'm just thankful for my blocks," he said.

Owens also electrified the crowd with his only reception of the game in the fourth quarter, a 16-yarder from Jared Flint. Owens razzled and dazzled the Falcon defense before being stopped.

"I thought I was going to get another one," he said. "I was just feeling it."

Owens got the crowd excited again on a punt return. As he waited and drifted toward the ball, his high school classmate, Chad Kapanui, accidentally bumped into Owens, causing both to fall. But no harm was done.

"I thought I would be able to take it on the punt return as well," Owens said. "But that's all right. I'm just glad I've got four more years to play with (Kapanui)."

Kapanui was happy for his fellow Rough Rider.

"He probably could've returned the punt, too," Kapanui said. "I told him, 'I'm sorry, I didn't see him.' "

The touchdown was Owens' third of the season. The red-shirt freshman, whose offensive position is receiver, also scored on a pass and run.

"Every time I get into the end zone is a thrill," he said, "but I have to say, this is my favorite one."