 | NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA The Greek Speaks |
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"'Meet me at the ball,' I tell him," said Carr, Michigan's senior noseguard. "I tell him in the lockerroom before the game, on the sidelines and on the line. It's just, 'Meet me at the ball,' because if he does, we're doing pretty good."
You want good? Bowens now has 11 sacks on the season, tying Michigan's single-season record held by Mark Messner, Chris Hutchinson and Jason Horn.
You want scary? Bowens is a sophomore, and this is his first season as a defensive end. He doesn't even know how to rush correctly yet.
You want frightening? There are four games left, and Michigan's sack record is about to be obliterated like a helpless quarterback.
"A young player is supposed to get better as he gets older," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "But David Bowens has such great ability, he plays like a veteran now."
That is a big compliment for a 19-year-old player on a defense that includes veterans like Jarrett Irons, William Carr and Glen Steele. It is even too big for Bowens to take.
"No, I'm no veteran," Bowens said. "I'm still a young kid."
But Bowens' words are contradicted by his play, because he is often the driving force behind the Wolverines' highly-regarded defense. Against Minnesota, Bowens recorded three sacks for the second time this season.
The first time the Golden Gophers touched the ball, Bowens nailed Sauter for a five-yard loss. On the Gophers' next drive, Bowens forced a fumble by popping the ball out of Javon Jackson's hands, and a few plays later, sacked Sauter for a six-yard loss. In the third quarter, Bowens sacked Sauter again, this time for a nine-yard loss.
In the end, Bowens had six tackles, two assists and four tackles for a loss to go along with his forced fumble and three sacks. He also had the admiration of William Carr.
"I'm happy for him," Carr said. "I knew he could do it, because he works so hard all the time. In practice, every down, you know, he gets me going. I know that if I get frustrated, it's not going to last long. Because if somebody's getting through, he'll be there.
"He'll kill them."
Bowens must have taken that "meet me at the ball" stuff to heart, because sophomores don't motivate seniors very often. But then, players don't master a new position in one season very often, either.
In high school, Bowens had 12 sacks in two years of varsity play. Total. In his first season at Michigan, he had one sack. Total.
Now he has 11 sacks in one season. Now he's made three sacks in one game - twice. That's because this year, Bowens was switched from linebacker to defensive end.
It should have been a tougher transition. After all, he had to learn football all over again. But with players like Bowens, some things are just natural.
"He's got to work on his technique," Michigan defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "He's got to work on his pass-rush moves. I mean, geez, he's never rushed before this season. Wait until he gets some technique."
Bowens is outstanding now, and that's just raw talent.
He is a 19-year-old who already plays like a veteran. He already leads Michigan's defense as much as William Carr and Jarrett Irons. He already dominates Big Ten offensive lines.
And do you know the scariest part? He will get better.
But for now, Bowens' talent makes it simple - follow the directions he's given every Saturday in the lockerroom, on the sidelines and in the game.
Meet me at the ball.
"Man, I told him that," William Carr said. "But he kept beating me to it. He's an athlete, and athletic ability takes you a long way. Look at where it's gotten him."
And look at how much farther it could take him.
- Nicholas J. Cotsonika can be reached over e-mail at cotsonik@umich.edu.