Will Archives - US Sports News

Former Hawaii All-American Chad Owens Named To Canadian Football Hall of Fame

The Canadian Football Hall of Fame announced their 2024 class of inductees this weekend with a name that fans of Hawaii football will surely recognize.

Honolulu native and former UH wide receiver Chad Owens was named one of seven total inductees that will be enshrined on September 14.

Owens spent 2001 to 2004 with the Rainbow Warriors, where he caught 239 passes for 3,031 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was a FWAA Freshman All-American in 2001 after returning 24 kicks for 807 yards and two touchdowns. As a senior in 2004, he was a second-team All-American after 102 receptions for 1,290 yards and 17 receiving touchdowns. He finished his college career as Hawaii's all-time career yardage leader with 5,461 all-purpose yards.

Owen's was Hawaii's leading receiver in both 2003 and 2004, catching passes from Hawaii's now-head coach Timmy Chang.

Ater college, Owens was a sixth-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005. He made the move to the Canadian Football League in 2009 as a practice squad member of the Montreal Alouettes. His most productive seasons in Canada came with the Toronto Argonauts from 2010 to 2015. in 2012, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2012 with 3,863 all-purpose yards. Toronto also won the Grey Cup that season. He was a four-time CFL All-Star.

4 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

TRANSFER PORTAL: Arkansas State Adds Two Players To Roster

After entering the transfer portal for a second time in his career, quarterback Timmy Mcclain has committed to play for the Sun Belt's Arkansas State Red Wolves. In seven appearances this past season for the UCF Knights, Mcclain threw for 1,065 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Prior to his time with the UCF Knights, Mcclain spent one season at USF in 2021 where he played in 11 games and threw for 1,888 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Bulls went 2-10 that season. Mcclain transferred after his lone season with the Bulls, spending two seasons with the Knights. He took a redshirt in 2022.

Mcclain now enters a situation where Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Jaylen Raynor, who threw for over 2,500 yards, is the arguably clear starting quarterback. Still, Mcclain provides strong depth at the position with multiple years of eligibility left backing up Raynor who is just a sophomore.

On the defensive side of things, the Wolves brought in defensive back Adrian Cole. Last season for the FIU Panthers, Cole had 30 total tackles, 16 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, and recovered one fumble for a touchdown in the season's final game.

Cole brings plenty of experience having played in the ACC with Syracuse and the Group of Five. Cole was one of the first transfers who joined FIU head coach Mike MacIntyre when he was hired.

The newest defensive back will have just one year of eligibility remaining but will join an Arkansas State defense that is coming off a season where they were towards the middle of the pack in the Sun Belt in most team statistics.

Arkansas State will open the 2024 season on August 31 when they host Central Arkansas.

3 May 24 Jimm Sallivan

Jax State Football: Head Coach Rich Rodriguez Agrees To Extension

The Jacksonville Gamecocks have agreed to a contract extension with head coach Rich Rodriguez that will go through the 2030 season.

Rodriguez was hired in 2021 and after a strong 9-2 record in 2022, their final one at the FCS level, the Gamecocks went to the FBS level in Conference USA and ended up going 9-4 including a win in the New Orleans Bowl.

"We couldn't be more excited that Coach Rodriguez is committed to Jacksonville State and continuing to lead our football program into this new era," Athletics Director Greg Seitz said. "The growth of our program since the day he took over has been incredible, with a conference title in year one, the first bowl win by a transition team in history in year two."

Entering 2024, Jax State brought in the replacement for quarterback Zion Webb in former UConn starter Zion Turner. The quick similar style of offense that was run last year should be in place again this season, especially with Turner’s own skill set.

Along with Rodriguez's success on the field, he has been a vital piece in improvements around the facilities and ensuring his players have the best equipment and work environment.

Although the Gamecocks still have one transition year left, Jax State still cannot play a postseason game without a waiver. If enough teams do not make a bowl game in 2024, there’s a likely chance that Rich Rodriguez's team can reach the six-win marker to make it into a second consecutive bowl game. The Gamecocks will also be one of the top teams in Conference USA. Against the conference last season, Jax State went 6-2.