Rowan ready to take over starting role

By Pete Mollica

The former LaBrae High standout has been a backup to Tom Zetts the last two seasons.

YOUNGSTOWN — For Youngstown State junior Todd Rowan, spring football practice has always been a lot of fun. This season might just be the most fun he’s ever had.

One reason is that this year the 6-foot-3, 223-pound quarterback from Braceville and LaBrae High School is the number one player at his position on the Penguins’ depth chart.

The past two seasons, Rowan has been plagued by injuries and was behind veteran starter Tom Zetts. This year, he’s the main man.

“I know one thing for sure, practice seems to go a whole lot quicker when you’re in there taking most of the snaps instead of standing and watching,” Rowan said. “This has always been a fun time for me and really I’m still working just as hard every day as I was when I was behind Tom.”

Zetts was the Penguins’ starting quarterback for the past four seasons, starting his last 47 games. Rowan, who missed most of the 2006 season with injuries, was Zetts’ backup last season although he played sparingly. He appeared in all 11 games, but mostly as a holder for placement kicks by Brian Palmer.

He threw only two passes, completed one for eight yards and did not have a rushing attempt.

But for the past two spring practices Rowan has been at the top of his game, especially in the Penguins’ annual Red and White Spring Game.

As a redshirt freshman in 2006, Rowan was unbelievable in the spring game as he completed every pass he threw (12-for-12) for 215 yards and four touchdowns. At one time, he was playing quarterback for both teams in the game.

The following year, he was almost just as good, hitting 14 of 20 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown.

“Spring games are really just a lot of fun,” Rowan said. “They are kept pretty simple with only a few different plays and there is really no pressure.”

Nothing like the pressure he expects next fall when he takes over the reins as the Penguins top quarterback including a season opener against Ohio State University at the Horseshoe in Columbus.

“Yeah, I’ve thought about that and it’s pretty exciting and as long as we keep working and getting better we’ll be ready for it,” Rowan said.

Rowan said that he’s learned from playing behind Zetts these last two years.

“The big thing that I learned from him was his work ethics, he just never stopped working and I think I learned some of his decision makings and his leadership,” he said.

Offensive coordinator Brian Wright, who is also the quarterbacks coach, is pleased with all three of his players.

“I’ve been impressed watching Todd with his patience and his play making ability this spring,” Wright said. “We’ve installed some new things offensively, but he’s picked them up very well.”

As a redshirt freshman, Rowan suffered a hairline fracture in his shin bone. Outside of holding for extra points and field goals, he never took a snap from center in a game. Last season, he got the same injury, but in the other leg and wasn’t really ready to play quarterback until almost midway in the season.

“It was really unusual, because I’ve never had problems with my shins before even in high school,” Rowan said. “It really didn’t hurt a lot when I was out there holding, but it hurt running on and off the field.”

This winter Rowan worked hard in the training room to strengthen his legs and shins hoping to avoid another injury.

Regardless of what happens in the fall, the junior is excited about Friday night and the Penguins Red and White Spring Game. And after the last two years he has good reason to be looking forward to the game.

mollica@vindy.com