Joe Owens comes in today at the no. 36 slot in the Top 50 Greatest Football Players in Alcorn history. Owens played defensive end for the Braves from 1966 to 1969 and over the course of those four years he helped the Braves record four consecutive winning seasons.
Owens' final two years at Alcorn were absolutely outstanding. In 1968 he recorded over 80 tackles and had 13 sacks to lead the Braves to a 9-1 overall and 6-1 SWAC record. Defensively, the Braves only gave up 8.8 points per game en route to winning the 1968 SWAC and National Black College Championship. Owens earned 1st Team All-SWAC Defensive honors that season.
He repeated honors in his senior season securing a spot on the 1969 All-SWAC 1st Team Defense totaling over 90 tackles and 14 sacks. Once again the Braves captured the SWAC and National Black College Championship posting an undefeated overall and SWAC record (8-0-1, 6-0-1). The team gave up 11.3 points per game during the season.
In a two-year span Owens helped the Braves to two SWAC and two National Black College National Championships. Owens and the Braves defense gave up 10.5 points per game in those two seasons.
He was drafted in 1969 by the New Orleans Saints.
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