Rowe quite a catch for the Golden Bears
Nathan Rowe is only getting started.
The rookie receiver for the University of Alberta Golden Bears made a great first impression in his debut and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
He broke a Canada West record for longest touchdown catch with a 109-yard reception, part of a seven-catch, 208-yard performance in the season opener against the Calgary Dinos.
He’s been Alberta’s top receiver through the first three weeks of the Canada West season.
In a conference featuring many of the top receivers in Canada, with the likes of Saskatchewan Huskies’ Mitch Hillis, Regina Rams’ Mitch Picton and Alberta’s Tylor Henry, Rowe is ahead of them all right now. He’s the conference leader with 392 receiving yards. His 130.7 yards per game is also tops in Canada West, while his 18 catches are third among receivers.
Rowe, 19, has also hauled in two touchdowns for the Bears. Last week was the first time he didn’t find the end zone, but he still recorded five catches for 105 yards in a 28-18 loss to Regina.
“He’s really come into his own and what makes him special is that everyone thinks he’s fast, but he’s such a competitor and he works so hard,” Bears head coach Chris Morris said. “He’s going to be great. He works hard and embodies himself to get better and better. He’s not just playing, he’s dominating and he’s developing into a real good player and leader for us.”
The Bears are 0-3 to start the 2017 Canada West season, but have made strides each week. They are looking for their first win of the season when they host the UBC Thunderbirds (2-1) Saturday (1 p.m.) at Foote Field.
Rowe comes from a football family. His uncle Peter Rowe was a quarterback for the Harry Ainlay Titans and went on to play in the NCAA with Washington State and the University of Wyoming before spending time in the CFL.
His cousin, Boston Rowe, is a linebacker for the University of Calgary Dinos, one of the top linebackers in the Canada West the last three years.
Nathan Rowe has high expectations for himself — becoming one of the conference’s elite receivers.
After redshirting with Alberta last year, he’s come in and made an immediate impact with the Golden Bears.
“I’ve always had high expectations on myself and I’m going to work hard over the next five years to be a huge contributor to this program and do everything I can to reach my full potential,” Rowe said. “I wasn’t sure what to expect (this year). I put a lot of work in and I know I’m capable of performing when I need to. I don’t know if I expected this early success, but I always knew I had the potential to be good. But I had to make sure I put in the work and hope for the best.
“I know coach Morris had high hopes for me, and I knew I had to do whatever it took to make an impact.”
The Bears have developed quality receivers over the last several years. Former Golden Bear Jimmy Ralph had a standout career with Alberta and is now in his rookie season with the Toronto Argonauts.
Henry was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2017 CFL draft and is back for his final season with the Golden Bears. Henry is just nine receptions away from becoming the all-time receptions leader in the Canada West.
Learning from players like Ralph and Henry has been beneficial for Rowe.
“I really like playing with Tylor (Henry). He’s been the guy here for a while, and I learn new things from him every day,” Rowe said. “Before that it was Ralph and I had the pleasure to learn from him my redshirt year during spring camp.
“Looking and seeing what these guys do on and off the field, I just try to learn as much as I can so when my number is called I can step up and be there for my team.”