 His best game for Indiana came against the Rose Bowl champion Illinois, when he caught a pass for a 37-yard touchdown and helped set up a second touchdown with a run as the Hoosiers won by seven points.Cowan was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the 1945 NFL Draft.The war delayed his professional career, however, and he signed in 1947 with the Browns, who selected him in the 1947 AAFC Draft.