Gowins happy with transfer from SBU

Even after two injury-plagued seasons and a highly competitive backfield, Eddie Gowins seemed destined to become Stony Brook University's all-time leading rusher. But the former Bellport High School star transferred last month to Division II California State (Pa.).

Gowins compiled 2,424 yards in only 23 games over three seasons at Stony Brook. Conte Cuttino holds the record with 3,607.

"It was a very tough decision for me," Gowins said. "I was close to my family, they could come and see my games. There were a lot of teammates I became close with. A lot of best friends. I was close to coaches, too. I just had a misunderstanding sometimes with my head coach [Chuck Priore] and I just felt like being at a different spot would be a good opportunity for me."

Priore said little about why Gowins, a 5-11 senior, left.

"He worked hard when he was here and he decided to go somewhere else," Priore said.

California coach John Luckhardt said a mutual friend of his and the Gowins family broached the idea of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference school. "We're extremely pleased he is here, we have great expectations for him," the coach said. "He's the complete package. He catches the ball, in the backfield, he's a strong, powerful runner. He's an excellent blocker."

Luckhardt said he did not speak with Priore about Gowins, but theorized that the success of Hofstra transfers Brock Jackolski and Miguel Maysonet may have impacted Gowins' decision.

"I think one of the issues obviously is that Eddie was injured a year ago in the second ball game and I think there was some conjecture where he fit into everybody's plans because they had the other two kids," Luckhardt said. "Eddie is projected as a possible professional prospect, and I have a suspicion he was just open to finding a place where he would be much more of a featured guy. As good as Eddie had a career there, you only had one football to hand out."

Gowins averaged 7.7 yards per carry and 105.4 yards per game at Stony Brook. He totaled 22 touchdowns on 314 career attempts, an average of one touchdown per 14.2 carries.

Gowins said that his injuries, which limited him to three starting appearances over the last two seasons, did factor into his decision to transfer, but denied there was any issue over playing time with the other backs. "Brock and Maysonet are [great] running backs," he said. "I knew the three of us would have complemented one another because we all are three different types of runners. Either way, I feel like all three of us would have gotten the job done in rotation. It wasn't that I was worried about playing time. The injuries set me back a little bit, made me think a lot. I felt like being someplace else could make me happy."

Gowins and his new team, which started the season ranked 12th, had a rough start in its opener, losing, 26-3, to No. 8 St. Cloud (Minn.). Gowins had 10 carries for 36 yards. "They could probably have beaten some I-AA schools," Gowins said.

Gowins and his team will host C.W. Post on Saturday. "They probably all know me," he said with a laugh.