Knee injury could cost UH's Owens four weeks

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i slotback Chad Owens might miss up to four weeks because of a sprained right knee suffered in the Warriors' 59-34 rout of Nevada Saturday night.

Hawai'i slotback Chad Owens is helped off the field by Gary Wright, left, and Chris Brown in the first quarter of Saturday night's game aginst Nevada. Owens hurt his right knee after a dive into the end zone, completing a 50-yard touchdown reception. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

After the game, Owens was on crutches, wearing a brace on his right knee.

"Knowing Chad, he'll come back as soon as he can," said receivers coach Ron Lee, who held out hope Owens would not miss any games. But that was unlikely, according to medical officials, who insist Owens will not play in Saturday's game against Tulsa at Aloha Stadium.

Owens suffered the injury at the end of a 50-yard scoring play, in which he dived the final yard. Owens believed he was hurt when a Nevada defender landed on his knee.

This is the latest setback for the Warriors, who have lost a key play in each game this year. The injuries were in this order: Defensive tackle Lui Fuga against Eastern Illinois, special teams leader Jonathan Kauka against Brigham Young, cornerback Abraham Elimimian against Texas-El Paso, running back Mike Bass against Southern Methodist and slotback Nate Ilaoa against Boise State.

Ilaoa's dislocated right shoulder was supposed to sideline him for another three games. But he has been able rotate it without difficulty, and Lee said he is hopeful Ilaoa will be able to return as early as this week. Lee said by not playing against Nevada, Ilaoa's hamstring injury also was able to heal fully.

"He indicated to me he wanted to give it a shot this week," Lee said.

Ilaoa's projected replacement, Clifton Herbert, has been slowed by what Lee describes as a "banged-up shoulder."

Britton Komine started in place of Herbert at right slotback, and caught eight passes for 238 yards, including touchdown receptions of 72 and 54 yards.

"It's nice to see him go in there to start the game and end up with a great night," Lee said. "He worked hard this summer. He's a super kid."

Komine, a third-year sophomore from Maryknoll High, used an ROTC scholarship to pay for his tuition and books. Two weeks ago, Lee said, Komine received a football scholarship from UH coach June Jones.

"He always had great hands," Lee said. "Now that he knows the routes, he'll be a great force."

Lee also praised wideout Jeremiah Cockheran, a junior college transfer who made his first UH start Saturday night, and slotback Omar Bennett, who filled in after Owens was injured.

Lee recalled how the Warriors "played four guys (at the four receiver positions) the last three years. Nobody got hurt. This is that kind of year. We have a bunch of reckless guys — the way Chad plays, and Nate is a real tough, physical player. Clifton is a little guy. It takes its toll. But they'll come back."

Strong safety Hyrum Peters, who did not play in the second half against Nevada because of a stinger, is expected to play against Tulsa after an MRI yesterday revealed no structural damage. Peters scored on a 64-yard interception return — his third touchdown of the season.

"When we lose Hyrum, we lose a lot of defense," UH defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa said. "We can't do a lot of things when he's not in there."

Running back Michael Brewster, who suffered a sprained ankle, also is expected back for the Tulsa game.

• False start: UH coaches had argued several times that Nevada was not following proper procedures for substituting players.

Offenses are not permitted to substitute after breaking the huddle, a rule created so defenses would not be put at a disadvantage. But Lempa said, "A couple of times, it looked like they broke the huddle and then they substituted."

The interpretation of the rule has been debated for about two years. "Supposedly, when they substitute, they're supposed to give you enough time to substitute," Lempa said. "When they run out that late, it's hard (for a defense) to make substitutions. When they bring out five receivers late, we don't want to be in base (4-3 alignment)."