Chang celebrates birthday win
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
One year older and 322 yards closer to the all-time record.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Those were the key numbers for University of Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang in a 48-26 victory over Nevada last night at Aloha Stadium.
Hawai'i slotback Chad Owens finishes off a 12-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against Nevada.
On his 23rd birthday, Chang became the second player in NCAA history to surpass 14,000 passing yards in a career.
"It was an awesome day, and I'm glad I got to spend it with my teammates," Chang said. "It wouldn't be special unless we won the game, so I'm glad we did."
Chang completed 21 of 35 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns last night. It brought his career total of passing yards to 14,179. Only former Brigham Young quarterback Ty Detmer has more, with 15,031.
With eight games remaining in his Hawai'i career, Chang needs 853 yards to surpass Detmer's mark.
"Timmy did some good things tonight, but I think he could have made some better decisions," Hawai'i head coach June Jones said.
In particular, Chang threw his first interception of the season last night. It ended a streak of 178 consecutive passes without an interception.
Injury update
Hawai'i starting middle linebacker Ikaika Curnan left the game in the first half because of a sprained right ankle. The injury could keep him on the sidelines for Saturday's game at Texas-El Paso, according to Jones.
Starting cornerback Kenny Patton also left the game in the first half with an injured left hamstring.
Reserve defensive lineman Kahai LaCount was helped off the field in the second half with a sprained left knee.
Owens again
Hawai'i slotback Chad Owens moved into second place on the school's career all-purpose yardage last night, passing former slotback Jeff Sydner.
Owens accounted for 160 all-purpose yards last night — 80 receiving and 80 on punt returns, including an electrifying 75-yard touchdown return. His career total at UH is 4,232. Former running back Gary Allen is first on the all-time UH list with 4,558.
"I'm just getting great blocking right now," Owens said. "And you have to give credit to our defense. They stopped (Nevada) and gave a chance to return some punts."
Owens has returned three punts for touchdowns in his career — including one last week — which tied a Hawai'i record.
All-purpose yards consist of rushing, receiving, punt returns, kickoff returns and interception returns.
New guy
Walk-on running back Bryan Maneafaiga got his first extensive action of the season for Hawai'i last night — and scored his first touchdown.
Maneafaiga took over as UH's top kickoff return specialist, and had two returns for 34 yards.
"I think I did OK, but I was too excited," he said. "Next time I'll be more relaxed."
He also got into the game at running back late in the fourth quarter and scored the final touchdown of the game on a 6-yard run.
"That was exhilarating," he said. "I was jumping up and down, I was so happy."
Local ties
Nevada receiver Caleb Spencer had four receptions for 91 yards. He is a Kamehameha Schools graduate.
Nevada safety Keone Kauo had a team-high eight tackles and became the only player this season to get an interception off Hawai'i quarterback Tim Chang. Kauo's parents were raised in Hawai'i.
