Rowe Relishes His Role in Win More Than His Receiving Mark

No matter what he does this season, Patrick Rowe can’t seem to grab the headlines from that precocious freshman, Marshall Faulk.

But come crunch time Saturday he did a pretty good job of making a case for experience and savvy--and deserving some mention.

On a night when Faulk returned to the lineup and ran for 174 yards, Rowe had his biggest game of the season, catching eight passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns and breaking the San Diego State record for career yardage.

The Aztecs needed nearly every yard in holding off Colorado State, 42-32, at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium, and Rowe was there when they needed him.

When Colorado State pulled to within four points in the fourth quarter, Rowe caught a 16-yard sideline pass to set up a first down inside the 10, then finished off the drive with a six-yard touchdown reception on a low, difficult pass. That gave San Diego State some breathing room, 35-24.

The Rams came right back with a touchdown and two-point conversion to cut the lead to three. Trying to protect that margin, the Aztecs embarked on their final possession. Rowe chipped in with a 14-yard reception on third down to keep the drive going. The Aztecs cashed in several plays later on Faulk’s 12-yard run.

Rowe’s totals were his best all season, and the two touchdowns--he opened SDSU’s scoring on a 34-yard pass from David Lowery in the second quarter--doubled his season total. He finished the evening with 2,540 career yards, breaking Tim Delaney’s school record which had stood for 21 years.

“I think I’ve been playing solid ball all season,” Rowe said in a happy locker room. “I’m starting to make some big plays and come through in the clutch. That’s what good players do. During clutch time, they usually find a way to get me the ball.

“(The record) feels very good, but I can honestly say I didn’t know how many yards I needed. I wanted to get it tonight. I’m glad I did, but winning this game improves the record a lot. It would’ve meant nothing if we’d lost.

Said Aztec Coach Al Luginbill: “Patrick’s a great football player, and a tremendous human being. We’re all extremely proud of him.” Asked if it bothered him that Rowe--the cover boy on the school media guide and a preseason All-America selection--has to some extent been eclipsed by Faulk, Luginbill said, “I think he’s done a pretty doggone good job of holding his role on this football team. I thought he had a pretty good game tonight. He’s had injuries, worked through the injuries. He’s a great football player. What can you say?”

Rowe, a fourth-year player who had only 27 receptions in his first two seasons out of Lincoln High, said he’s happier to be along for a winning ride than worrying about publicity. The recipient of nearly 1,400 yards worth of passes last year, he leads the team with 50 catches for 687 yards this season.

“This is the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll stop celebrating till we return to practice Monday. This program has come so far, I’m just happy to be playing Brigham Young next week.”