MANKATO — It’s 2nd and 7 from the Colorado Mesa 43 yard line.
Minnesota State quarterback Mitchell Thompson drops back to pass. He unloads a pass in hopes of taking a 7-0 lead out of the chutes.
His pass was successful. Touchdown Mavericks. Thompson found transfer wide receiver Jackson Owens for the first touchdown of the season.
Sure, on the surface it seems like an ordinary successful drive. But for Owens, his never give up attitude and the crazy journey of playing for five different teams since graduating from Minnetonka High School, the receiving touchdown was cathartic.
“I was crying,” Owens said. “Everything I went through leading up to that moment… honestly, it really felt like a movie.”
Owens’ latest and final stop is in Mankato with the Mavericks. But the lead up to his breakout game in Week 0’s 38-14 win over Colorado Mesa, a game where he snagged five catches for 137 yards, was filled with many stops.
His college football journey began at Central Iowa. Then came two seasons at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota, where he racked up 38 catches for 588 yards and five touchdowns across 10 games.
Then came a stop at Riverside City College, about 57 miles east of Los Angeles. In 10 games during the 2024 season he accumulated 40 catches for 893 yards and 12 touchdowns as the Tigers lost 37-35 to Mt. San Antonio in the Southern California Football Association championship game.
All of his hard work was set to pay off though. He was sent to join New Mexico State for the 2025 season. Finally, he reached the Division I level.
He racked up four catches for 39 yards against Tulsa early in the season. He finished the year with eight catches for 80 yards.
Owens was back in the transfer portal with one year of eligibility. Where in the world would he end up?
Well, there was an opportunity at Minnesota State, the No. 4 team in Division II entering Week 1, had a hole at receiver. TreShawn Watson and Grant Guyett, two steady hands and staples of the receiving corps, were gone to graduation.
The opportunity to emerge as the Mavericks’ top receiving threat was available.
“Any transfer that is brought in is not by accident,” MSU head coach Todd Hoefner said. “We bring them in purposefully with the intent to try and be great. Having them plug and play right away is not always easy.”
Owens entered a receiver room that was wide open in terms of on the field production. But gelling with teammates in the locker room can be challenging to some. Owens believes he’s fit right in, quickly crediting the coaching staff and teammates.
But why didn’t he throw in the towel after things didn’t go his way at New Mexico State? Well, he firmly lives by three words — never give up.
He credits that attitude to his parents. His mom works in sales, never taking no for an answer. His dad lays tile, working on his hands and knees to get every small detail correct while making sure his craftsmanship stands out.
“(My parents) being hardworking people helped me understand what you have to do to get the job done,” Owens said. “If it’s something that you love to do it doesn’t really feel like work. It just feels like you know what you love to do.”
The opening touchdown reception wasn’t the only big play Owens made in Week 0’s win. The Mavericks, hanging on to a 14-7 lead, saw Maximus Sims chuck up a hail mary pass in the endzone as time expired.
Once again, Owens hauled in another deep pass. This time from 48 yards out.
And after his second touchdown reception of the first half he could be seen celebrating with teammates. Then there was him with his helmet off, fired up beyond belief, high fiving and celebrating with the MSU faithful that made the trip to Colorado to not only see the win, but see Owens final college chapter start off with a massive statement.
“Always believe in yourself,” Owens said. “Understand that there’s always going to be trials and tribulations. But if you’re able to wake up every morning, look yourself in the mirror and know that you’re doing everything you can do to be out there and be a part of a team… that’s a great feeling, honestly.”