Owens receives All-America honor
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
University of Hawai'i football player Chad Owens yesterday was named to Sports Illustrated's All-America second team.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Utah offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu, a former Kahuku High standout, was selected to the first team.
Hawai'i slotback Chad Owens celebrated the Warriors win over Northwestern last month. with son, Chad Jr.
Owens was picked separately as a wide receiver and punt returner. Football organizations recognize players honored by SI.com as All-Americans.
"It's a great honor," Owens said. "A lot of the credit goes to everyone who played with me. I thank (quarterback) Timmy (Chang) for getting me the ball, the o-linemen, everyone."
Owens, a 5-foot-9, 179-pound senior slotback, caught 94 passes for 1,176 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games this season.
He also scored on four punt returns.
"What a great season he's had," UH coach June Jones said.
POSITION: Wide receiver/punt returner HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 5 feet 9, 177 pounds CLASS: Senior (originally a walk-on from Roosevelt High School) HONORS: Sports Illustrated second-team All-American All-Western Athletic Conference (2003 and 2004) NATIONAL STATISTICS: Fourth in catches per game: 7.83 Ninth in receiving yards per game: 98.0 Ninth in scoring: 9.5 points per game 14th in punt return yardage: 14.2 yards per attempt
As a coach in the National Football League, Jones said, "I've had some of the great (punt returners). Eric Metcalf is the best, and he'll go into the Hall of Fame. Chad is every bit of that."
CHAD OWENS
Ron Lee, who coaches the UH receivers, remembered the first time he met Owens. It was in 1999, and Roosevelt High's field was being renovated. Owens and Roosevelt teammate Chad Kapanui were playing catch with a football in the area near the swimming pool.
"It wasn't even a field," Lee recalled. "There were rocks and gravel, but he was diving for the ball. He was so gung-ho. That's when we knew we wanted him to come to UH. Now look at him. Every time I see him running back those kicks, I think of the guy who was diving on the gravel."
Owens joined the Warriors as a non-scholarship player in August 2000. As a second-year freshman, he capped the season by scoring on punt and kickoff returns in a victory over previously unbeaten Brigham Young.
"After that, we all knew he would be special," Jones said.
Owens earned a scholarship and, during this year's training camp, was named as one of four team captains. This season, he set the school record for most all-purpose yards in a career.
Of his journey from walk-on to All-American, Owens said, "This means a lot, and I'm thankful for it. I'm glad I got the opportunity to play this game."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
