SDSU’s Rowe Breaks Collarbone

Patrick Rowe, San Diego State’s touted freshman wide receiver, has a broken collarbone and is expected to miss the Aztecs’ first two games.

Rowe, a Parade All-American last season at Lincoln High School, sustained the injury while making a catch Saturday in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Shrine All-Star football game at the Rose Bowl.

“I was bringing the ball in, and the defender hit me on the right side,” Rowe said Tuesday. “I landed on my left shoulder and my shoulder pads jammed into my clavicle.

“It was very sore, but I kept playing. The pain got too great in the second half. But I still was hoping it was just a bruise.”

Rowe was examined after the game and an X-ray Sunday revealed the fracture. He said his arm will be in a sling for 2-3 weeks and it could be 5-6 weeks before he may be certified to play in a game. That would mean he would miss the Aztecs’ first two games against UCLA in the Rose Bowl Sept. 5 and against Utah at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium Sept. 12. Freshman and community college transfers report Sunday for the start of preseason practice.

“I’ll just attend meetings and ride a stationary bike,” said Rowe, 6-feet 1-inch and 180 pounds. “I’m pretty disappointed.”

San Diego State had been counting on Rowe to provide immediate help at a position that was weakened by graduation. Only two wide receivers who caught a pass last season--Alfred Jenkins and Monty Gilbreath--return.

“We have some junior-college players who looked good in spring,” said Denny Stolz, San Diego State coach. “But we haven’t seen them on the field in a game situation.”

Stolz said he has let players decide whether to play in high-school all-star games, despite the risk of injury so close to the start of the season.

“It was an easy decision,” Rowe said. “It wasn’t just a game to show my talents but it was being played for the kids in the Shrine Hospital.” Rowe will also miss the Lions College Prep All-Star game at the Aztec Bowl Saturday night. He was to be joined in that game by another of San Diego State’s highly regarded freshman recruits, Scott Barrick, a quarterback from Fallbrook High School.

Barrick, however, withdrew from the game Sunday. He said he’s not comfortable running the option offense that the team of San Diego County players will employ against a team of Los Angeles city players.