Background: The nation’s interceptions leader, on pace to break an NCAA record, nearly gave up football two years ago. He just wasn’t motivated. His grades suffered, and despite scoring a school-record 25 touchdowns at Soquel (Calif.) High School near Santa Cruz, no Division I-A schools recruited him. “Toward the end of my senior year, I realized I was good enough and I could excel in the classroom if I wanted to,” Lowery said Tuesday from San Jose, Calif. “But your junior year is the important year to get on track.” It was too late by the time his high school career ended, and he went to Cabrillo College, a junior college in Aptos, Calif. There he found his niche, intercepting 13 passes in 15 games over two years.
Stat line: In his first year at Division I-A, Lowery has seven interceptions in only five games this year, giving him 20 in his past 20 games. He is on pace this season for 17, which would top the NCAA season mark of 14 by Washington’s Al Worley in 1968.
What’s up: What’s his secret? He studies more film than Roger Ebert. “The key has been working hard and studying the opponent and getting in position to make those plays,” Lowery said. “I wouldn’t say anything specifically. I get a feel for the speed, how they move and go from there.”
What’s next: Passing teams, starting Saturday with a visit to Nevada and Jeff Rowe, the No. 26-rated quarterback in the country. The Spartans visit New Mexico State, the nation’s No. 2 passing team, in two weeks; then host Boise State and Jared Zabransky, the 16th-ranked QB; and go to Hawaii, tops in the country in passing.
Henderson’s take: Lowery has quietly helped make San Jose State one of the nation’s success stories. The Spartans nearly dropped I-A status two years ago due to low attendance and five wins over the 2003-04 seasons. But last year Dick Tomey, former head coach at Arizona and Hawaii, arrived and the Spartans are 4-1 this season for the first time since 1987. “When a head coach is such a good leader, it trickles down to the team,” Lowery said. “When things aren’t going well with us, either in a game or practice or with off-field issues, he knows how we need to pick ourselves up and improve ourselves. We call it Pride, Together, Believe and Finish. I think that’s the basis of our program.”
