Northern Arizona's Case Cookus burst onto the FCS scene in 2015 and established himself as a top quarterback in the subdivision as just a freshman. He's since had a rollercoaster career for the Lumberjacks, but he's reminding those who may have forgotten just how good of a player he is.
The 6-foot-4 gunslinger has already thrown for 1,377 yards (90-154), 12 touchdowns and four interceptions in four games this year. Cookus' "worst" game of the season was in Game 1, a 290-yard throwing performance. The next week he threw for 373 yards against Arizona. And Cookus has combined for eight touchdown passes in the last two games as NAU sits at 2-2.
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It seems like forever ago — and probably even longer for Cookus — that he was torching defenses in 2015. He threw for 3,117 yards, 37 touchdowns and five interceptions as Cookus won the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in the FCS. But in 2016, Cookus injured his shoulder and was only able to play in four games.
(Q3 | 10:21) NAU 27 – MSU 6
Case Cookus finds Brandon Porter for another score – this one on a 62-yard strike down the sideline for six#NAUStrong ⚒️???????? #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/FbnRODo66G
— NAU Football (@NAU_Football) August 30, 2019
In those four games, Cookus threw for 1,173 yards and 13 touchdowns.
He bounced back in 2017, passing for 3,413 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Then last year, it was another upper-arm injury in the second game of the season that sidelined Cookus for the rest of the year.
(Q2 | 8:15) NAU 3 – MSU 3
Joey Gatewood streaks down the middle and hauls in 43-yard strike from Case Cookus to set up a 21-yard FG by Luis Aguilar.#NAUStrong ⚒️???????? #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/o7fNMNRSt5
— NAU Football (@NAU_Football) August 30, 2019
The adversity throughout his NAU career makes Cookus' start to this season that much more special. The physical and mental toll of getting injured, then rehabbing for several months is a lot for anyone.
About a month ago, NFL quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement because of his constant injuries and rehab, which he said took the joy of the game away from him.
(Q2 | 12:36) NAU 23 – WNMU 6
Case Cookus tosses his third TD pass of the game and his second to Brandon Porter – this one from 35-yards out#NAUStrong ⚒️???????? #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/LCp6Os01Mx
— NAU Football (@NAU_Football) September 15, 2019
Interacting with Cookus at the Big Sky Football Kickoff this summer, it was clear he still had a passion for football and was excited to hit the field. He has bounced back again and looks like he's set for a season that rivals 2015 and 2017.
Going back to that 2015 season, Cookus was looked at as the next big thing in the FCS. Fast forward four years later and fighting through some ups and downs, he's reminding us how special of a talent he is.
One small-school QB that we’re excited to see is @NAU_Football QB Case Cookus (@CaptainCookus10. Suffered season-ending injury in ‘18 so we didn’t have much tape to evaluate this summer. We do know NAU has won a bunch of games with him under center. #TheDraftStartsInMOBILE pic.twitter.com/RBkp3jZ3Jt
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 22, 2019
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