Owens suspended
2 gamesThe receiver did not inform
Jones that he would miss
the flight from Las Vegas
Hawaii starting slot receiver Chad Owens is suspended for the next two games for missing the team's charter flight back to Hawaii from Las Vegas last Friday.
Owens said he forgot to ask coach June Jones for permission to miss the flight. Such permission has been granted in the past for players to spend time with family before returning to Hawaii.
"I didn't know there was practice on Sunday," said Owens, who returned late Sunday with family members.
The family's mini-vacation after UH's 33-22 loss to Nevada-Las Vegas was also marred by the arrest of Owens' stepfather, James Voss, for allegedly fighting with police at the game. (See story in News).
Owens admitted he made a mistake by not letting Jones know about his plans.
"We had planned this several months ago. I don't agree with the punishment, but it was irresponsible on my part. I let my position coach (Ron Lee) know, but I should have told Coach Jones," Owens said. "Live and learn."
Owens, a junior from Roosevelt High School, is Hawaii's leading receiver in catches (23) and is second in yardage (255) and touchdowns (3).
Second-year freshman Ross Dickerson replaces Owens, Jones said on his weekly radio show last night. He had no further comment.
Dickerson has caught one pass for no gain.
Owens practiced briefly yesterday and met with Jones afterward.
UH now opens its Western Athletic Conference season Saturday against Rice at Aloha Stadium without its two starting inside receivers.
Nate Ilaoa, the other starter, is out for the season after knee surgery last week.
"We're just working with what we have now," Lee said.
Poumele promising: The emergence of offensive utility player Se'e Poumele might take some of the sting out of losing Ilaoa and Owens.
Poumele can play any receiver position as well as quarterback in short-yardage situations.
In spot duty this season, Poumele has rushed four times for 23 yards and a touchdown, caught six passes for 99 yards and passed twice for one completion.
"He's just a player," Jones said. "When the game starts he gets better."
Jones looks forward to using the 5-foot-9, 179-pound junior in lots of different situations, including short-yardage quarterback.
"The plays that we have for him will let him excel. He has a different game burst than most people. He's definitely a gamer."
Is there any position he can't play?
"Probably offensive guard wouldn't be a good one," Jones said.
Poumele said he'll even give that a shot if asked.
"I like being a utility guy. I'll do whatever I can to help this ballclub win. Even o-line, that's what I'm going to do if I have to."
Here come the Owls: Rice arrives this afternoon, and the Owls go straight to Turtle Bay, as they have in the past when playing in Hawaii.
Coach Ken Hatfield didn't let Rice's 48-7 loss to Texas last week take away his sense of humor.
"First of all, I would like to thank all my good friends in Arkansas for making all those Horns mad. I didn't get a lot of sympathy calls from them after the game.
"I would have told them that they woke up a sleeping giant and made him mad," Hatfield said at his weekly news conference.
