Watch above: Huskies rookie running back Tyler Chow is making his mark
SASKATOON – Tyler Chow was hailed as one of the top recruits in the nation when introduced at this spring’s “Dog’s Breakfast”.
Each week this season, the rookie running back’s role within the Huskies offence has increased, to the point where Chow was the primary back against Alberta in week seven.
“It’s definitely a jump up from where I used to be,” admits Chow.
“It was nice and it’s something I’ve been preparing for. I think it’s a lot just mental mindset and kind of just the chemistry you have with those teammates that you build on throughout the weeks.”
Although Chow is a freshman, he’s picked up enough throughout the year to make head coach Brian Towriss comfortable with deploying him in all situations.
“He learns a little bit more every week. It’s never been an issue handing him the football. It’s more him learning the routes and being confident in protection,” says Towriss.
In week seven, Chow carries the ball a season high ten times, which was six more than both Shane Buchanan and Jarvis James.
But it was the Calgary product work catching the ball that was most impressive. Chow racked up eight receptions out of the backfield for 78 yards.
“I definitely don’t think we went into the game thinking we were going to throw a lot to the backs,” recalls Chow. “Eight completions to a running back is kind of a lot but any way to win the game is fine by me.”
Brian Towriss agrees.
“We’d be lying if we said we game planned to get him the ball eight times out of the backfield throwing it to him. We had some routes in that we thought that he might be more of a decoy but they left him uncovered so we threw it to him.”
Chow also had a 50 yard kickoff return against the Golden Bears, finishing the afternoon with an impressive 177 all purpose yards; a breakout game for a future star who’s already leaving his mark on the CIS.
The Huskies wrap up the regular season Saturday on the road against the U.B.C. Thunderbirds.
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