LaBrae’s Rowan has healed, is YSU’s backup quarterback

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Todd Rowan doesn’t like to talk about it and he hopes he’ll never have to go through it again.

Rowan, Youngstown State’s sophomore quarterback from LaBrae High in Leavittsburg, has finally returned to the Penguins’ active roster

Two weeks ago, he saw his first action in more than a year against Lock Haven.

In 2006, the 6-foot-3, 217-pound Rowan suffered a stress fracture in his left leg days before the season opener and never took a snap.

This year, Rowan had the same injury, only in the other leg early in fall camp and didn’t play quarterback in the first three games. (He was the holder on extra points and field goals.)

More frustrating than the injuries was that he suffered them after playing outstanding in the Red and White spring games in 2005 and ’06.

In 2005 (his redshirt year), he was 12-for-12 passing for 215 yards and four touchdowns. In 2006, he completed 14-of-20 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown.

Healthy and confident

But that was the only quarterback action he saw until two weeks ago.

“It’s good to be back and I really feel healthy and confident,” Rowan said Tuesday.

For the first time in his career, he’s listed as the backup quarterback on the depth chart.

“Those first few snaps against Lock Haven were nerve-racking, especially since my whole family was in the stands, but it was also exciting,” Rowan said.

Rowan has yet to attempt a pass; his action has consisted of handing off the ball to running backs as the Penguins ran out the clock in dominating victories.

“But it felt good to be in there and a part of the offense,” Rowan said.

“I really don’t even like to think about the injuries because they made life so frustrating the past two seasons,” he said. “It’s something that I’ve never had to go through before in my career.”

Pain

Rowan said the injures were identical except for being in different legs. They were painful, he said, and would have worsened if he tried to play.

“It really didn’t hurt when I was out there holding on kicks, but it really hurt running on and off the field,” Rowan said.

Rowan was a standout in football and basketball at LaBrae. He was named second team All-Ohio in Division V as a senior when he passed for 2,604 yards and 22 touchdowns.

He also earned Division III honorable mention in basketball when the Vikings posted a 20-5 record and won the district title.

Rowan has also been a standout in the classroom where he has carried a 4.0 grade point average for two years.

He’ll be ready Saturday when the Penguins travel to Southern Illinois for a big Gateway Conference matchup in Carbondale, Ill. Kickoff for the contest is 3:30 p.m.

The game will be televised by CSTV, which is available on Armstrong and Time Warner Cable (digital tiers).

mollica@vindy.com