Slotback Owens suffers knee injury

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Chad Owens, the leading receiver for the University of Hawai'i football team, will undergo an MRI examination today to determine the extent of an injury to his right knee.

Hawai'i slotback Chad Owens is helped off the field by Gary Wright, left, and Chris Brown after injuring his right knee. Owens was hurt after diving into the end zone to complete a 50-yard TD reception Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The injury was diagnosed as a sprained medial collateral ligament.

"I'm hoping that's all it is," Owens said. "I have to do the MRI test tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes."

If the ligament is torn, Owens may have to undergo surgery and could miss the remainder of the season.

"Injuries are a part of the game," he said. "I'll do my best to bounce back no matter how long it takes."

In any case, Owens went down in style. On the touchdown play, he broke free from one defender, spun out of the grasp of another, and then dived head-first into the end zone to avoid a third potential tackler, who rolled over Owens' legs in the end zone.

"I don't know if it was the turf or the (defender) or what, but I knew right away something was wrong," Owens said.

He was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, and returned to the sidelines for the second half on crutches.

Owens' injury is the latest in what seems to be a weekly misfortune for the Warriors. Starters Nate Ilaoa (receiver), Mike Bass (running back), Lui Fuga (defensive line) and Jonathan Kauka (special teams) missed last night's game because of injuries suffered this season.

Senior Omar Bennett replaced Owens last night and caught two passes for 53 yards. It was his first receptions of the season.

• More injuries: At least three other Warriors had to leave last night's game with injuries.

Starting safety Hyrum Peters suffered a "stinger" in his neck and did not play in the second half.

Also, reserve running back Michael Brewster sprained his right ankle, and special teams player Lono Manners sprained his left ankle.

• Record quarter: The Warriors set what must certainly be a school record with 42 points in the first quarter (there are no official scoring records by quarters).

Quarterback Tim Chang passed for 219 yards in the first quarter alone, although that is not a school record (Dan Robinson passed for 282 in the second quarter against Navy in 1999).

In 18 offensive plays in the first quarter, the Warriors amassed 354 yards and scored five touchdowns. Hyrum Peters added a 64-yard interception return for a score.

• Record yards: Hawai'i amassed a school-record 674 yards in total offense, surpassing the 667 set in last season's memorable 72-45 victory over Brigham Young.

• Back in black: For the first time this season, the Warriors wore their all-black uniforms. It was the first time UH wore the black uniforms since last season's season-ending victory over BYU. In those two games, the Warriors have scored 131 points.

• Nevada stars: Wolf Pack senior receiver Nate Burleson caught 11 passes for 143 yards. He entered the game as the nation's leading receiver with an average of 10.6 catches per game.

Senior quarterback Zack Threadgill completed 19 of 35 passes for 241 yards. He had two touchdowns and two interceptions. Threadgill entered the game as the Western Athletic Conference leader in total offense with an average of 336.8 yards per game.

• Sing Johnny sing: KHON-TV sports reporter John Veneri sang the national anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i prior to last night's game.

Veneri, a UH slotback from 1992-94, sang as part of a challenge for his "Go Johnny Go" series on KHON.

• Homecoming halftime: The UH marching band dressed in Japanese kimonos for the halftime show, which featured a tribute to Japanese television programs.

Ban Daisuke, the actor who played the Jiro character in the Kikaida series, made an appearance during a Kikaida skit by the UH band.