Three UH seniors All-WAC
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Three fifth-year University of Hawai'i football players — quarterback Tim Chang, slotback Chad Owens and cornerback Abraham Elimimian — yesterday were named to the Western Athletic Conference's all-star first team.
"They've had unreal seasons," UH coach June Jones said. "They're very deserving."
Chang
Owens
The All-WAC second team included UH offensive lineman Samson Satele and Owens, who was honored separately as a punt returner.
Chang, a Saint Louis School graduate, leads the WAC in passing yards (312.5 per game) and is third nationally in total offense (311.2 yards per game).
This season, he became the most prolific passer in NCAA history. He has thrown for 16,251 yards in 51 games as a Warrior.
"It feels good," Chang said of becoming UH's first All-WAC quarterback. "We have a lot of great quarterbacks in the conference, going against a lot of great guys, so this is special. I don't know what to say. It's a big honor. I really feel touched."
Chang said he will reflect on his accomplishments "when the season is done. I know it was worth coming here. I didn't know it was going to be as great when I decided to come here. But the way it turned out, it's amazing. It's a dream come true."
Owens, a Roosevelt High graduate, is a double threat as a receiver (7.36 catches per game) and punt returner (four scoring runbacks this season).
"I'm speechless," Owens said. "I don't know what to say other than 'thanks' to the people who voted for me. I want to thank my teammates for doing their job."
Owens has excelled despite missing a large part of his offseason workouts while recovering from a sprained toe.
"Good things happen to people who work hard," said Owens, who originally joined the Warriors as a non-scholarship player. "I pride myself on that. There are a lot of other guys who could have earned the same honor if they were given the same opportunity. You have to keep working hard."
Jones said he believed Owens should have been selected as the WAC's top returner.
"I don't know of a better return man in America," Jones said. "I've coached the two best in the NFL — (Eric) Metcalf and Ernie Givens, and I had Deion (Sanders), too. Chad is all that."
Jones praised Elimimian, who was born in Nigeria and raised in Los Angeles, as a tough defender who overcame injuries to his right hamstring and right ankle.
Jones said Elimimian has virtually played one-legged "at times, but he just competes. He's a solid, good defender."
Elimimian was overlooked last year. This season, he has five interceptions and seven pass breakups. He also blocked a kick.
"I was prepared for honorable mention again," he said. "It feels good personally."
He admitted to being frustrated when he was left off last year's All-WAC team, saying, "I was thinking more about myself than the team. You've got to play well as a person to help the team out."
Jones said he was surprised Satele was not named to the first team. Satele started the first nine games at left guard before moving to center. He leads the Warriors with 38 knockdown blocks.
"I can't imagine a guard who does much better than Samson Satele," Jones said, "or a center, for that matter."
Offensive linemen Tala Esera and Uriah Moenoa and wideout Jason Rivers and defensive end Melila Purcell III received honorable mention.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
• • •
 |
