Dec 1, 2014 3 min read

From the moment the University of New Hampshire’s coaching staff saw Cory Owen on the football field, they were enamored with the Peters Township quarterback.

The Wildcats’ coaches visited McMurray several times, including watching a three-hour practice this fall. They kept into constant contact with Owen, watched him perform at the Pitt and Boston College’s football camps, offering him a scholarship in June.

The dedication paid off Monday for the No. 1 team in NCAA’s Football Championship Series when Owen verbally committed to continue his athletic and academic career at New Hampshire where he plans to major in business.

“You have to make sure a school is into you and you don’t get lost in the crowd,” Owen said. “They’ve been interested in me since I think the beginning of the summer, so I have been talking to them every week. Recruiting for high school kids, making sure the coaches are interested and that you are their priority is huge.”

A four-year starter who led the Indians to the playoffs three times, Owen passed for 1,212 yards and six touchdowns as a senior, while rushing for 515 yards and seven scores. With a young roster, Peters Township missed the WPIAL Class AAAA playoffs and finished with a 2-7 record. Owen finished his career with more than 4,000 total yards and ranks among the top-three in school history in rushing yards, passing yards and scoring.

Since his junior season, Owen has been bombarded with letters, emails and phone calls from prospective coaches. He has enjoyed every minute of it and quickly became the top dual-threat quarterback in the state according to Pennsylvania Preps.

Owen received scholarship offers from Albany, Buffalo, James Madison, New Hampshire and Toledo, but did not know what position would be in his future. That didn’t matter to him.

He runs a 4.5 second 40-yard dash, has a 35-inche vertical and 10-1 broad jump.

“The first thing I always say about him is what a great kid he is,” said Peters Township head coach Rich Piccinini said. “I always tell (coaches) that athletically, he is phenomenal. He’s one of the best athletes I’ve coached in 24 years. He has great hands, ball skills and a nose for the football. (New Hampshire) were very thorough with the recruiting process, and I think it appealed to Cory that a school 10 1/2 hours away that really put that much time in and cared about him as a person.”

New Hampshire’s coaching staff offered Owen the opportunity to try any position he would like, including quarterback, but the Wildcats’ recruited one in the Class of 2015 and have three set to return in 2015. Owen could play receiver or defensive back.

No matter what position he decides upon, Owen is up for the challenge and ready to sign his letter of intent Weds., Feb. 4.

“It’s been very long and actually pretty time consuming with visits, phone calls, emails and messages,” Owen said. “It’s good to finally know where I’m going. It doesn’t officially end until Feb. 4, so I’m going to keep talking to coaches and keep the process going, but I know where I’m going right now. I love New Hampshire and that’s where I’m headed.”