Owens gives UH a pickup
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Chad Owens literally picked up the Hawai'i football team when it needed it most in last night's 44-16 Western Athletic Conference win against Tulsa last night.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
His catch, practically off the blades of Aloha Stadium's FieldTurf, turned into a 75-yard touchdown for the first touchdown of the game. At the time, it gave UH a 13-3 lead after a battle of field-goal kickers.
Chad Owens celebrates his 7-yard touchdown reception in the fourth period, capping a three-touchdown night.
"He just scooped it off the ground," UH quarterback Tim Chang said. "It wasn't a good throw on my part, but he made a terrific play that inspired all of us. He was the game-changer tonight."
Added UH coach June Jones: "When Chad made that catch two inches off the ground, it turned the momentum of the game. It just takes one guy to make a play, then it becomes contagious."
Chang's screen pass to Owens came after Tulsa pulled to 6-3 on a 32-yard field goal by Brian DeVault. Owens was lined to the left of Chang, slanted toward an opening and never lost a step when he bent down to catch the pass.
"It must've been right off the ground," Owens said. "I just went down with it, believed that I could catch it and caught it and kept running."
His previous longest catch was 62 yards last season. While pleased with his effort, he was quick to note the team played well overall.
"I think it's my longest reception from scrimmage so it feels real good to get one of those," Owens said. "It always feels great to make a big play when we needed it. But it's an overall team effort. That's the best feeling ever."
Owens' 182 yards on eight catches tied his personal career-best, which he also had last year (on 11 catches against Southern Methodist). He also had a 7-yard TD catch in a drive in which he had a 45-yard reception on a deep sideline pass that put the ball at the Tulsa 13.
"This game, we got a lot of man coverage," Chang said. "He (Owens) used his skill and ability to always get open. This guy has become such a reliable receiver. It's what he does after the catch that makes him so special."
Owens had yet another back-breaking play when he returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown to give UH a 20-13 lead to start the third quarter. The Warriors would not relinquish that lead.
"That one felt real nice," Owens said. "That's why I showed a lot of emotion when I did that one."
It was his first punt return for a touchdown since that amazing day in 2001 when he returned a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in a 72-45 victory against BYU. He set NCAA records for most combined return yards (342) and kickoff return yards (249) in that game.
"He makes the difference," Chang said of Owens' outstanding plays as a receiver and returner. "We need playmakers like that."
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
