USFL Championship Game: Cookus’ sights set on title for Stars

By RJ Younger
FOX Sports activities USFL Author

CANTON, Ohio — With lower than 1 / 4 to play within the USFL’s North Division Last, issues have been wanting bleak for the Philadelphia Stars. 

The New Jersey Generals, who had already overwhelmed the Stars twice this season, together with within the earlier week’s regular-season finale, had simply taken a 14-10 lead within the fourth quarter because of a 78-yard punt return by league MVP KaVontae Turpin.

Stars coach Bart Andrus was working out of time. He’d misplaced the league’s cornerback in Channing Stribling to an ankle damage and his beginning working again Matt Colburn — the USFL Sportsman of the 12 months — to a knee damage for the rest of the sport.

For a collection, he was even with out his beginning quarterback, Case Cookus.

Case Cookus on studying from Bart Andrus

RJ Younger is joined by Philadelphia Stars QB Case Cookus, who shares what he’s realized from taking part in below coach Bart Andrus forward of the USFL Championship recreation.

You may watch the “The No. 1 Ranked Present with RJ Younger” on YouTube or subscribe on podcast platforms, together with Apple Podcasts.

And now the Generals’ protection had begun to flex. New Jersey security Paris Ford laid successful on Stars working again Darnell Holland that may’ve rattled his tooth because it actually rattled the ball unfastened. 

Officers wanted to remind coaches and gamers that their habits after performs was bordering on unsportsmanlike conduct. That’s when Cookus asserted himself. 

“Guys let’s maintain it clear, man,” he informed his teammates within the huddle. “I don’t care if somebody punched me within the face. They aren’t going to be right here subsequent week. We’re.”

He stated these phrases because the Stars trailed the Generals, and they might show prophetic when Maurice Alexander’s 87-yard punt return landing vaulted the Stars into the USFL Championship Sport. However much more than that, the phrases have been an ideal instance of Cookus’ perspective towards the sport. 

“I do not know the place it comes from,” Cookus informed me on “The Number One Ranked Show.” “It is in all probability just a bit aggressive edge that I get after I stepped between these strains. As a result of after I step off the sphere, I do not care for those who hit me 15 instances [in a game], we’ll shake arms and we’ll exit and hang around collectively.

“However as quickly as you cross these strains, it is truthful recreation … That is one factor about me whether or not it is , ping pong, pickup basketball or skilled soccer, I am gonna attempt very arduous.” 

And he’ll hit you within the face — [Les Grossman voice] — actually friggin’ arduous.  

Following a freshman yr at Northern Arizona wherein Cookus gained the Jerry Rice Award — FCS’s Nationwide Freshman of the 12 months Award — and a sophomore yr restricted resulting from damage, Cookus was behind middle for the Lumberjacks when he ear-holed a Montana defender whereas blocking for considered one of his teammates.

The hit was unlawful. Cookus was hit with a focusing on penalty and ejected. 

“It’s humorous now,” he stated, “but it surely wasn’t humorous then.” 

Focusing on had simply been adopted by the NCAA rulebook in 2008, and Cookus is considered the primary quarterback within the sport’s historical past to be ejected for focusing on.

“Initially,” Cookus stated, “I assumed it was for taunting or issues like that. After which they stated it was for focusing on, and I used to be shocked. They threw me out [of the game] and the followers have been throwing beers and snowballs and every little thing at me. Montana is a tricky place to play at.” 

Case Cookus on his NFL expertise

Philadelphia Stars QB Case Cookus talks to RJ Younger about an notorious second from school wherein he obtained a focusing on penalty, his expertise within the NFL and extra!

He laughs it off now, but it surely’s these cases and tales which have stored him combating to maintain alive his dream of taking part in skilled soccer. Cookus has hung out with the NFL’s New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Las Vegas Raiders, in addition to within the Canadian Soccer League. 

However as a result of he got here out of school in the course of the starting of the pandemic, he by no means obtained an opportunity to completely interact in an expert setting within the NFL.

“I feel popping out the yr I did, the COVID yr, not having a professional day, not having this and that,” he stated. “So, it was arduous for me to discover ways to be a professional over Zoom. Whenever you go to these mini camps, you are round different rookies and also you type of get to study collectively.

“And whenever you’re doing it over Zoom, you type of needed to take your lumps, and you’ll’t inform what you are doing mistaken as a result of it is over laptop.”

The USFL gave him an opportunity not solely to study however, after an unlucky damage to beginning quarterback Bryan Scott, to play.

It gave Cookus the possibility to steer an expert staff to a championship recreation in entrance of his mother and father and his fiancée, Tyler.

Earlier than taking part in within the USFL, Cookus’ final recreation as a starter in a significant recreation was at Northern Arizona, a 60-53 loss to Idaho wherein he handed for 450 yards and three TDs.

“It at all times makes me a little bit bit emotional,” he stated. “I had top-of-the-line video games of my profession and I am sitting there I am like, ‘Man, is that this the best way I am gonna exit?’ 

“Now, simply to have the ability to play once more and admire the sport. I feel I’ve a newfound appreciation for not taking part in for nearly two years. So simply the chance now, taking part in for a championship. It’s so thrilling to have my fiancée and my mother and pa might be there (on the USFL title recreation). I simply can’t wait. I’m tremendous excited for it.” 

Now, Cookus a terrific championship recreation.

RJ Younger is a nationwide school soccer author and analyst for FOX Sports activities and the host of the podcast “The No. 1 Ranked Show with RJ Young.” Comply with him on Twitter at @RJ_Young, and subscribe to “The RJ Young Show” on YouTube. He’s not on a StepMill.

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