Box Score

HONOLULU - Slot receiver Chad Owens caught for a career-high 283 yards and four touchdowns and quarterback Timmy Chang threw for a season-high 416 yards and as many touchdowns to help Hawai'i come from behind to defeat Michigan State, 41-38, and earn an invitation to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

With it back against the wall, Hawai`i (7-5) erased a 21-point deficit before the second-largest crowd at Aloha Stadium, 41,654, on a night Warrior fans bid farewell to 25 seniors in the post-game celebration.

Michigan State (5-7) scored the first 21 points of the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Drew Stanton to Eric Knott, and 2-and 1-yard runs by Jehuu Caulcrick and Jason Teague respectively. Teague finished the game with 13 carries for 34 yards and three touchdowns.

Hawai`i finally got on the board on an 80-yard drive, highlighted by a 50-yard pass from Chang to Owens. Running back West Keliikipi, who led all Warriors with 14 carries for 48 yards, scored from 1-yard out to cap the drive. Chang and Owens found each other again, this time for a 36-yard touchdown strike to make it 21-14 and gain the momentum.

But Michigan State answered with a quick strike. Running back DeAndrea Cobb, who finished the game with a team-high 16 carries for 128 yards, broke free for a 50-yard gain. A play later, Teague scored his second touchdown to put the Spartans up, 28-14, heading into the locker room.

The Warriors came out fired up in the second half. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Chang hit Owens on the first play from scrimmage for a 51-yard touchdown to make it a seven-point game (28-21).

Chang and the Warriors scored at the 3:35 mark in the third quarter. Owens caught a 9-yard pass from Chang, but game-tying PAT attempt, from 35-yards out due to penalties, was blocked.

Michigan State took a four-point lead when Dave Rayner hit a 49-yard field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

But Hawai`i refused to lose. Chang orchestrated a 12-play, 80-yard drive, and capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run on 4th-and goal, to take the lead for good, 31-34, with 9:22 left to play in the game.

Owens and Chang, who finished the game 29-of-49 passing, hooked up on a 16-yard touchdown at the 3:43 mark to seal the win. Teague scored his third touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run at the 1:31 mark, but Hawai`i ran out the clock.

Chang's 416 yards put him at 16,667 career passing yards, the new NCAA record. Owens, already the school's leader in all-purpose yards (5,257), and receptions (231), also became UH career leader in punt return yards (924), surpassing Jeff Sydner (920). The Warriors finished with double-digit tackles, led by linebacker Watson Hoohuli's 12. Safety Leonard Peters and Abraham Elimimian had 11 each, while safety Landon Kafentzis finished with a career-high 10.

Hawai`i will now face UAB on Dec. 24, 2004, in the Sheraton Hawai`i Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Aloha Stadium. It will be the third straight bowl game for the Warriors, and fourth in the last six years under skipper June Jones.

- UH -