[ RECEIVERS ]
Chad Owens is here to save the day
Why he's good
Mighty Mouse can fly, and is superstrong and invulnerable. He has X-ray vision, and has occasionally demonstrated a form of super-hypnosis which allows him to control inanimate objects and turn back time. -- The International Catalogue of Superheroes.But can he turn a 5-yard slant pattern into an 80-yard TD?
Chad Owens can, so he's at least one up on the venerable rodent cartoon hero, who also happens to be the inspiration behind Owens' nickname and one of his many tattoos.
Owens also makes defenders look inanimate when he returns punts and dodges linebackers after catches. He also seems to have the superstrong part down.
He was second in the nation in receptions per game (7.73) and eighth in yards (103.1) last year.
Chad Owens
>> Ninth all-time in receiving yards (1,741)
and third in kickoff returns (1,309) in UH history
|
X-factor
Owens is the leader of a deep and experienced pass-catching corps, including sophomore wideouts Jason Rivers and Ross Dickerson, senior utility man Britton Komine, senior slot Gerald Welch and junior slot Se'e Poumele.Midway through fall camp, junior slot Nate Ilaoa was still trying to get into playing shape after a knee injury ended his 2003 season in the first game. If he's right, he can be a game-breaker like Owens.
The next wave
Desmond Thomas, Brian Davilla, Jason Ferguson, Patrick Olchovy, Landon Gouveia, Nolan Lee, Denny Flanagan, Marcus Weems, Andrew Pearman and Lenny Boatner are among the names worth remembering.
Style file
"Besides me?" quarterback Tim Chang said when asked who the best-dressed player on the team is. "Se'e Poumele, hands down."Poumele got offensive lineman Samson Satele's vote, too. "He always dresses up for school like he's going to the club."
Ones to watch
The top players with the probable starter listed first:
Left Wideout
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 84 | Jason Rivers | 6-1 | 189 | So. |
| 81 | Ian Sample | 5-10 | 195 | Jr. |
Left Slot
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 2 | Chad Owens | 5-9 | 177 | Sr. |
| 38 | Gerald Welch | 5-7 | 216 | Sr. |
Right Slot
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 7 | Se'e Poumele | 5-9 | 171 | Sr. |
| 4 | Nate Ilaoa | 5-9 | 240 | So. |
Right Wideout
| NO. | PLAYER | HT. | WT. | CL. |
| 82 | Ross Dickerson | 5-11 | 190 | So. |
| 9 | Britton Komine | 5-10 | 188 | Sr. |
Receivers coach
Ron Lee is in his fifth year. Among the players he has coached is Ashley Lelie, a first-round NFL draft pick in 2002.
www.hawaiiathletics.com
