GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
SMU's Keylon Kincade was engulfed by UH's David Gilmore, La'anui Correa and Isaac Sopoaga last night
Owens breaks through
as an offensive forceChad Owens had a career night. He's had better numbers as a kick and punt returner, but it was by far his best night as a receiver.
The multi-purpose Owens caught 11 passes for 182 yards. The sophomore's longest reception was 51 yards, setting up Hawaii's first score.
Even SMU coach Phil Bennett noticed.
"Owens is a great player," he said. "He's a great competitor. For the second straight game, our defense was tested. (UH head coach) June (Jones) does such a good job. They create good matchups and those guys are hard to defend."
In 10 games last season, Owens had five receptions for a total of 57 yards. The longest catch was 17 yards.
"We just got to capitalize when we get the chance and put it in the end zone every time," Owens said.
After QB Tim Chang missed him wide open on the first series, Owens walked over and gave the sophomore a pep talk.
"I just told him it's all right," Owens said. "Because he dwells on stuff. He makes a bad play and he takes it hard. And I told him to just relax. Move on to the next one because, like Coach Jones says, the next play is the biggest."
Alabama may come back: Hawaii athletic director Herman Frazier, who just returned from NCAA and WAC AD meetings, said Alabama is among the teams being considered to fill the vacancy in the 2003 schedule.
"I'm scheduled to talk to them," said Frazier, who wants a team to come to Hawaii because UH already has six road games next fall. "Before I make any commitments I want to see how tickets are moving for the game this year."
Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione told ESPN yesterday that the Crimson Tide want out of their game with Oklahoma next year to clear the way for a return engagement in Hawaii next November. Alabama plays UH this Nov. 30.
Something up his sleeve: On a night when fans tried to win a trip to Las Vegas via the pull of a slot machine lever, Jones was the gamblin' man last night from the very start.
His first offensive call was a flea-flicker, which went for a 51-yard completion from Chang to Owens.
Later, Jones had Chad Kapanui try a halfback pass, but the former quarterback barely overthrew Neal Gossett, who had beaten the coverage.
Another gamble near the end of the second quarter cost the Warriors three points.
Hawaii, leading 14-0, took two timeouts as SMU had the ball in its own territory with less than a minute left in the half. When the Mustangs punted, UH's Mike Bass fumbled and SMU's Kevin Garrett recovered at the Hawaii 20. A pass interference call against Kenny Patton put the ball at the UH 5. After Patton knocked down a pass with three seconds left, Trent Stephenson kicked a 21-yard field goal as time expired.
Moment of silence: There was a moment of silence before the game for U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, who died yesterday. Mink was a force in the development of Title IX legislation 30 years ago.
Short yardage: SMU has a 7-21 record since the 2000 season. Of those 20 losses, opponents have scored at least 30 points in 14 games. ... Despite an injured left shoulder, Hawaii senior linebacker Chris Brown started last night's game. He and junior Chad Kalilimoku shared time at the position. Brown and Justin Colbert lead the team with 28 consecutive starts.
