Loewen Hogs' Hawaiian punch

FAYETTEVILLE -- A handful of Arkansas Razorbacks, including Brandon Allen, Brooks Ellis and Dre Greenlaw, help carry the hopes of local fans.

Another Razorback, defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen, feels like he's carrying the expectations of a town five time zones away every time he suits up.

Loewen came to the mainland from Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui with a firm purpose in mind.

"My idea coming over here was to put Lahaina on the map and put Maui on the map," Loewen said leading up to today's 3 p.m. homecoming game against Tennessee-Martin. "I kind of feel like I've got the whole city on my back. There's a lot of pride that goes into that. I've got so much love and support back home. I love it and can't thank God enough for that."

Loewen and Washington State defensive end Hercules Mata'afa are the only Lahainans on FBS rosters this season.

When the Razorbacks have wrapped up some of their late games this season -- like a 24-20 victory at Tennessee a few weeks back -- the folks on Maui have been just getting their Saturday evenings started.

"We've had some late games this year and I've gotten a few messages after the game," Loewen said. "It's unreal how many people are supporting me and how many people are reaching out to me that I never knew from Maui. They're just reaching out to me because I'm on the team."

Loewen, one of the most-traveled Razorbacks literally and figuratively, is making for an interesting study for pro scouts.

A linebacker in high school, he has been a tight end, a fullback, a potential offensive tackle, a defensive end and a defensive tackle for the Razorbacks. As a sophomore tight end in 2103, he caught a 24-yard touchdown pass against Samford, whose staff at the time included Rory Segrest, his current position coach.

After battling through knee and shoulder injuries during his transition to the defensive front, Loewen has found a key role as an inside and outside lineman. He's a mainstay as an interior rusher with Deatrich Wise on Arkansas' third-down pass rush package, typically with Tevin Beanum and Jeremiah Ledbetter at end.

"He is really an overachiever," Segrest said. "He gets in there and he battles and he is going to do things the way you ask him to do it, and he is high-motor guy."

Coach Bret Bielema, who oversaw Loewen's move from tight end to defensive line, said he's been surprised at the 6-5, 275-pounder's versatility, which has perked the interest of visiting NFL scouts. Bielema said Loewen's name is brought up right behind running back Jonathan Williams and guard Sebastian Tretola when scouts ask about Arkansas seniors.

"He's a big, athletic body that runs down on kickoffs," Bielema said. "They go back and watch his film at the tight end to be quite honest."

Bielema said because of Loewen's athleticism, he could add 20 more pounds and play offensive tackle.

"Football is very important to Mitch," he said. "He's a kid who really concentrates on all the right things."

Loewen has 11 tackles and is tied with Beanum for the team lead with 1 1/2 sacks. His unassisted sack came against Alabama when he went through an offensive lineman to drop Jake Coker from the Hogs' 7.

"Mitch is just crazy," Beanum said. "He's a strong guy. I can tell there's a lot of people looking out to see what he does this year."

Beanum said only rarely does the islander come out in Loewen.

"You'll catch him sometimes wearing an Hawaiian shirt or listening to the ukulele music or something," he said. "Other than that you really can't tell. He's one of the boys, one of the D-linemen."

Of course, he always has the fans on Maui in the back of his mind.

Sports on 10/31/2015