Donald Bowens was all set to take the ACC by storm in 2008. After a gigantic season in '07 which saw him average a team best 15 yards per catch and witnessed his true coming out party against Virginia, in which he hauled in 11 receptions for 202 yards (good for 5th best in NC State history), Bowens had to put his plans on hold. Doctors discovered a stress fracture in his lower back during preseason camp in '08. This was a blow to Bowens who knew that if he wanted to ever make his mark in college, he'd need to be 100% healthy. Surgery was his only option. After a long rehab process, he was all set to make his return to the Pack in '09, however, once again his plans had to wait. A freak knee injury in the offseason required yet another surgery and put his season in doubt.
Coming into preseason camp, there were a lot of questions on how Bowens' knee would hold up, and if he would be able to really get back into playing shape at any point in 2009. Those questions were answered when coaches got an up close look at Donald participating in drills with light contact and already showing good explosion and cutting ability. By week three Bowens was already making his return and slowly is working his way back into form, getting used to playing alongside Wilson, taking contact, and starting to get reacquainted with the speed of the game.
Getting back to this point took a great deal of mental toughness, and motivation, something Bowens talked to us about after practice.
"I've never really been one to get down on myself. I'm always one to stay up. I just kept faith in God and the team. I'd just come around here and being around the guys. It really kept me up, kept me motivated."
That motivation has pushed Donald to work harder on every aspect of his game while he attempts to find his 2007 form, making sure he does all the small things right and stays on the same page with the team. One thing Bowens' mentioned was his chemistry with quarterback Russell Wilson.
"I was catching a lot of balls from Russell during camp when I was still rehabbing, so the chemistry is already there. As a receiver I just need to go out there run my routes and catch the ball. He's a great quarterback and a great leader. He reads the D and throws the ball where it's supposed to be at."
With each passing game Bowens' is earning more and more playing time, however coming into the Duke game this weekend he is nowhere to be found on the 2-deep, something that he feels hard work and staying at it will resolve.
"I just got to keep going out here, working hard, practicing. I'm not worried about getting on the field, I know it will come and from there I just got to go out there and make it happen." Bowens told us; and when asked if he now felt 100%? "Yeah...yeah I do." he said with a confident smile.
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5 Responses to "Bowens Still Working His Way Back"Am i the only one that really remember how freaking good Bowens was?
We neeed this guy to get back on track. It would be nice to have a big strong go-to WR that can make plays after the catch.
Mike I remember those days. . . Beautiful thing it was.
Just remember that this kid is coming back from two tough injuries. Its a process. . . not everybody can bust out the gate like Tony Baker has done.
Once D BOWE tastes that endzone that first time watch out!
Go Pack.
Nothing personal, but I don't think 290 yards in 5 games, and 2 crucial fumbles is "bustin out of the gate." Let's hope Tony and Donald bust out this weekend.
-ED89
Well fumbles aside you also have to see 8 TDs in 5 games, 290yds isn't stellar yes but taking into account he is still avg. 5yds a carry on the ground. Don't discount his numbers just because its from sharing time and limited carries. Plus on top of everything, his work catching the ball out of the backfield.
All from a man who has spend what two years out of the game.
Go Pack.
(This is Ryan just switched info all up)
Good switch up Ryan/NCStateGlory. No doubt D Bo was on the good path before his injuries. And, if you back up the tape of the past couple of games, he hasn't lost his nose for blocking down the field. But, you're dead on about it being a mental block. Once he gets into a flow and catches a few balls (and/or a few TD's) he'll start to round into form.
It is tough to come back like TB and DB. I do believe that the ACC is big time football. Saying that our league is not the SEC is the same as saying that the SEC is not as good as the NFL. Football is football at this level. Everyone's bigger, stronger and faster than they were a few years ago. It takes time to get your mental back. Baker talked about the day at practice when the proverbial light went on. He saw it. TOB saw it. His teammates saw it.
This same sort of thing will happen with Donald. And at that point, we will have a lot of receivers that have been getting very valuable experience, even in losses. People tend to lose sight of the fact that college football doesn't allow teams to round into form before the season. Each season, each team is learning on the job. D BO is rehabbing on the job. Tough.
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