Owens gained respect as all-purpose Warrior

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Chad Owens is expected to make history — and meet an important part of University of Hawai'i football history — when the Warriors play at Fresno State in tomorrow's nationally televised road game.

UH's Chad Owens needs three yards to break Gary Allen's career school record for all-purpose yards. Advertiser library photo

Allen, who lives in Covina, Calif., said he will be there when his record is transferred. He said he will congratulate Owens after the game.

"I go to a majority of games in this area," said Allen, who serves as a board member of the Letterwinners Club for former UH student-athletes. "I'm involved with UH. I'll always be a UH supporter."

When Allen, a running back, completed his final UH season in 1981, he held 23 school records. He still is the Warriors' career rushing leader with 3,451 yards.

"Every two or three years, I'll get a call from a reporter telling me that another record is going to be broken," Allen said. "It's OK with me. I'm not mad or anything. Records are made to be broken. I'm happy my records have lasted so long. It makes me feel proud. And I'm happy for Chad Owens. I hope the young man who is challenging the record receives it."

Allen marveled at the generational differences. Allen was part of the Warriors' construction. "We had hutches," Allen recalled of the coaches' offices. "The weight room wasn't how it is now. Now they have great facilities."

His sophomore season, in 1979, was UH's first competing in the Western Athletic Conference.

Owens admittedly is not a student of UH football history. He recognizes the names in the record book — Allen, Jeff Sydner — but not their styles. Still, he appreciates the significance of Allen's all-purpose record, of its measure of talent and health.

While Allen amassed his all-purpose yards mostly through running plays, Owens has been productive on pass plays (2,386 yards) and returns (1,327 yards on kickoffs, 771 yards and four touchdowns on punts).

Owens could have gained more yards except he agreed to reduce his role as a returner to focus on playing slotback. This year, UH coach June Jones promised Owens he also could return kickoffs and punts full-time. Owens returned the season-opening kickoff for 28 yards, then ceded the job.

"Coach Jones left it up to me," Owens said. "I thought about it. Since I'll be doing punts and playing receiver full time, I thought it would be time for someone else to show what he can do, someone else to shine."

The Warriors took turns auditioning kick returners before freshman Jason Ferguson seized the job. At 5 feet 5, Ferguson is 4 inches shorter than Owens. Ferguson, more than Allen's record, might be Owens' legacy.

"Chad is my boy," Ferguson said. "He always looks out for me."

Owens offered the secret to his success: Just react.

"Football is a game of reactions," Owens said. "You're going to react to what you see or feel. You're thinking until you get the ball, but once you do, it's all reaction."

It is why Owens' returns are original productions. "I'll look back at some film of 2001 and go, 'Wow. How did I do that?' Is it possible to repeat what I just did? That's the thing. You can't think about things. You just have to react."

Owens said Ferguson shares that ability to improvise. "He's the future," Owens said. "He's a great player. Right from the beginning, I knew he could be the guy. He has quickness and speed. I can't take wait for him to take it to the house so I can go down there and tackle him in the end zone. One day, he'll be breaking records."

Kamakawiwo'ole back after appendectomy

Kila Kamakawiwo'ole, who missed the past two games after undergoing an appendectomy, is expected to start at defensive right end against Fresno State.

His backup, Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan, will play despite a subluxed left shoulder.

Left cornerback Abraham Elimimian yesterday did not compete in his third consecutive practice since aggravating a hamstring injury in Saturday's 34-23 victory over Louisiana Tech. "That's discouraging," Jones said.

Weakside linebacker Tanuvasa Moe (strained hamstring) and middle linebacker Ikaika Curnan (sprained ankle) are on the travel roster. Moe will be used only as an emergency long-snapper. Curnan will play, but not start.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.

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