Bennie Fowler Headed to Super Bowl 50

Jan. 25, 2016

Photo by Ben Hays, Denver Broncos

EAST LANSING, Mich. â€" Former Michigan State wide receiver Bennie Fowler, now a member of the AFC Champion Broncos, is headed to Super Bowl 50 after Denver's 20-18 victory over New England in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Fowler played in the game on offense and special teams.

A first-year receiver for the Broncos, Fowler caught two passes for 35 yards in Denver's 23-16 win over Pittsburgh in the AFC Divisional Round on Jan. 15. On the Broncos' game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, he hauled in a 31-yard pass from Peyton Manning on a third-and-12 play to keep Denver's drive alive.

After spending the 2014 season on the practice squad, Fowler recorded 16 catches for 203 yards (12.7 avg.) in his first active season on the AFC West Champion Broncos, who went 12-4 during the regular season. He ranked fifth on the team in receiving yards and eighth in receptions in 16 regular-season games, and had a season-high four catches for 50 yards in the Week 3 win at Detroit.

A member of the 2013 Big Ten and Rose Bowl Champion Spartans, Fowler led MSU in receiving yards (622) and touchdown receptions (6) and ranked third on the team in receptions (36) as a fifth-year senior. A four-year letterwinner, Fowler had 93 receptions for 1,341 yards (14.4 avg.) in 44 career games, including 15 starts. He closed out his career tied for 16th in MSU history with 11 TD receptions and collected 1,779 all-purpose yards (1,341 receiving; 336 kick return; 102 rushing).

In addition to Fowler, former Spartan wide receiver Keshawn Martin also played in the AFC Championship for the Patriots.

Denver will play the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, Feb. 7 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.