Texas State running back Robert Lowe has just four months left in his collegiate football career and although he and the Bobcats are chasing history with the program’s first bowl game in 2015, his senior class has already made their mark in the brief FBS history of Texas State football.
Lowe arrived in 2012, just months before the program officially began play as an FBS member and has become of the most prolific players in school history. After getting only eight carries as a true freshman, the Waxahachie (Tex.) native has 349 carries for 2,036 yards and 21 touchdowns over the last two seasons. His exploits earned him All-Sun Belt honors, prompted inclusion on the 2015 Doak Walker Watch List (nation’s top running back) and helped Texas State win 13 games over that time, including seven Sun Belt Conference victories.
Despite two bowl-eligible records in both 2013 (6-6) and 2014 (7-5), the Bobcats did not receive invitations in either season and, after leading a seamless transition from the FCS, their senior class has some unfinished business to take care of in 2015.
We caught up with a very grateful and humble Lowe before he and his teammates embark on their mission for a conference crown and the first bowl game in school history.
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What NFL running back do you enjoy watching the most or do you try to emulate your game after the most?
I really like Arian Foster and Le’Veon Bell. They’re really patient backs, know how to use their blocking and are really explosive. I also like the vision they have.
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Favorite opposing stadium?
Southern Miss (M.M. Roberts Stadium). We went down there a couple years ago and it was pretty loud. That was one of the loudest stadiums I’ve ever played in.
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Why did you pick Texas State?
I bought into the program changing, stepping up to FBS. Also, the area because I’m not far from home. From the coaches to the recruiting process, everything was great. When I took my visit, everyone was nice and it really felt like a family program.
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What was it like joining a young FBS program that is quick jumping onto the national radar?
That was another big part of why I committed. This was a great opportunity to come in and be the first couple players to change the culture here. We were hoping to reach that first bowl game last year but didn’t make it. I see this program progressing, getting better every year and I’m just glad to be a part of that.
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Talk about the opportunity that awaits Texas State versus Florida State in the season opener on September 5th.
It’s going to be a great experience. And it’s going to be a challenge, a very good challenge. We get to see where we stack up against the bigger schools and it’ll be a challenge but we need that challenge early to set the tone for the rest of the year. We’re ready to go down there and I’m just excited to play in that stadium.
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What was different this offseason to ensure you reach a bowl game in 2015?
This offseason was “Leave No Doubt” because last year we left opportunities on the table. We could’ve been 8-4 or 9-3, it was within our reach and we left a lot on the table. Now we’re focusing on leaving no doubt and we have that chip on our shoulder, trying to prove that we deserve to be in a bowl game.
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Describe your team on the field in one word.
Work. We put in work together and we’re all working towards one goal.
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Describe your team off the field in one word.
Family. That’s the way we treat each other. Anytime anybody needed anything or needs someone to talk to, we have so many people you can go to. We have people that take care of each other so it feels like we’re family.
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If you could only use one app for the rest of your life, what is it?
YouTube. Because almost everything that happens is on YouTube.
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Who is a player or coach you’ve played against that you greatly admire?
Trevone Boykin. He’s a really cool and humble dude. He’s a stud at quarterback, can run the ball, throw the ball and was really dominant but was humble. That’s how you’re suppose to play the game.
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What are your plans for after football?
I’m a Criminal Justice major and I’m very interested in detective things so I would like to be a police officer or detective.
