Warriors' Owens goes on TD spree
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
On a night when senior slotback Chad Owens was in the spotlight, setting or tying several records, he was quick to deflect praise to his teammates.
"It was an overall team effort tonight," said Owens, who had four touchdown receptions and one punt return for a touchdown. "(Britton Komine) caught that big first down (a 45-yard reception from quarterback Tim Chang in the second quarter) and that changed the momentum right then. The defense played their best game so far."
Owens caught touchdown passes for 11, 40, 35 and 16 yards, and had a career-high 76-yard punt return for a score. His five touchdowns and 30 points ties school records set by Heikoti Fakava against Yale, Oct. 3, 1987.
"What a player," receivers coach Ron Lee said of Owens.
Owens scored three touchdowns in the second quarter, helping the Warriors overcome a 13-0 first-quarter deficit and enter the half with a 28-20 lead.
"Timmy started off a little tight, then got hot in the second quarter," Lee said. "It comes with everyone doing what they are supposed to."
Owens' fourth TD reception, in the third quarter with 29 seconds remaining, gave the Warriors a 49-33 cushion.
Owens caught nine passes for 155 yards, in his first 100-yard reception game since Oct. 2 when he racked up 182 yards against Tulsa.
It was a much-needed breakout game for Owens, who had six TD receptions through the first four games, but was held to one in the past six before last night.
He was limited to two touchdown receptions in the Warriors' five losses, but had nine in their six wins, including last night.
"It was kind of frustrating," he said. "I'm just thankful God allowed me to play that way when it counted."
Lee said it was more mental than anything for Owens the past several games.
"He was trying to cheat a little bit," Lee said. "He was trying to be too much, I think. But he worked hard on that and tonight he concentrated on the routes."
Owens tied receiver Jason Rivers' school record of four touchdown receptions in a game, set last week against Idaho.
Owens' punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter — his fourth of the year — set a single-season school record. He broke five tackles, including one wrap up that appeared to stop him.
He moved up to second place on UH's career punt return yardage list with 906 yards, surpassing Dana McLemore (1978-81), who had 847 yards. Owens started the game with 802 career yards, and had 104 last night.
He said the biggest difference in this game was the opponent.
"These kinds of games you get excited for," he said. "Like BYU in 2001, and Alabama, it's this kind of football game you get excited for."
Reach Leila Wai at 535-2457 lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com
