Cooks juggles football, life; dislodges ballcarriers
These days, Dondi Cooks is a busy man and doing the best he can while juggling several roles.
With an 18-month-old daughter, Savannah Lee Champion Cooks, to support he has worked at part-time jobs ranging from the cafeteria at Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Student Union Building to the university’s physical plant to his current stint in the office of admissions. He also has had time to play a little football, and last weekend was his banner performance for the Javelinas.
Cooks forced fumbles by Lions running back Marcus Graham on successive fourth-quarter possessions by Texas A&M-Commerce, and each led to an A&M-Kingsville touchdown. That helped rally the Javelinas, who preserved their perfect season in a wild 35-34 victory over the Lions.
“When we came to the sidelines we were down two touchdowns, coach said it’s a two-possession game. We’ve got to get stops, we’ve got to get strips,” said Cooks, a 6-foot-2, 288-pound junior defensive tackle. “As a team, of course, we always strive to get the ball. I saw the chance, the opportunity to seize it so I went for it. Honestly I went for the sack. I saw the ball and stuck my hand in there and we were very fortunate we got the fumble,” Cooks said of the first force, in which he and Graham arrived nearly simultaneously at the handoff from Commerce quarterback Adam Farkes. “The other one the guy just basically just let it land in my hand. We practice strips on the practice field every day.”
Javelinas notes: Garza's 4th-quarter cool key
The fact that a great deal of the success Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football team has experienced is attributable to senior quarterback Billy Garza is indisputable. While his ascent on the career school record charts continues, what is more intriguing is how the Brownsville native has asserted himself late in ballgames. Last week was no exception, when he directed three fourth-quarter touchdown drives — the final two drives came within the final 11 minutes — to rally the seventh-ranked Javelinas past Texas A&M-Commerce 35-34.
“One of the things we talked about Billy was him being a cool customer all the time,” A&M-Kingsville coach Bo Atterberry said. “He proved it because those are the times when you find out a lot about guys and how they’re going to respond in pressure situations and he’s handled it the way he acts all the time.”
In the fourth quarter, Garza was 9 of 10 for 89 yards with TD passes to Larod Roberson and the eventual game-winner to Damian Couthren with 2:45 remaining. That capped a 31-for-42 day for 308 yards, a school record for completions. But during the final 15 minutes in seven games this season, Garza is a sparkling 31 of 37 for 359 yards, four TDs and no interceptions. That translates into a 200.96 quarterback rating.
“I hadn’t really thought about it too much. I’ve been trying to be as consistent as I possibly can,” Garza said of his fourth-quarter heroics. “It’s been more so in the fourth quarter but I think what it boils down to is by the time the fourth quarter comes around we more or less have an idea knowing what we want to do. We feel a little more comfortable in the game. So it’s just a combination of all those things.”
Tarleton State DE honored for his service off the gridiron
One can measure Tarleton State backup defensive end Jacob Rowe’s deeds on the field by his number of tackles, sacks and hurries and even fumbles recovered. What’s most impressive are what you don’t necessarily see. There is no stat for lives touched.
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound redshirt junior was recently recognized for the impact he makes on his community by being selected to the Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team. Rowe’s altruistic pursuits include — but are hardly limited to — handing out meals to the elderly and disabled; he visits retirement homes in Stephenville, and he has also participated in Disciple Now, an endeavor that pairs a young person with a sponsor for a weekend of Bible study and community service projects.
Rowe’s work is inspired.
"I have Jesus Christ in me," Rowe said. "He walked this earth and told us to love people and that’s what I’m trying to do. That’s my sole motivation."
RiverHawks prepare for Gachette, Bearcats
Northeastern State will try to capture a road win for the first time since 2007 when they take on Southwest Baptist on Saturday in Bolivar, Missouri. The program’s last win away from home was the final game of the 2007 season when the then-Redmen came away with a 22-14 victory over Central Oklahoma.
“For us to have a winning record, which is one of our goals, this is a must-win,” said RiverHawks coach Kenny Evans. “This would be a step in that direction.”
The Bearcats come into the game with a 3-4 record, but have won their last three against Kentucky Wesleyan College, Central Oklahoma and Southern Nazarene. In the stretch, Southwest Baptist has outscored opponents 149-53.
Record-setting QB, three other Greyhounds suspended
Sophomore quarterback J.J. Harp’s assault on Eastern New Mexico University school passing records will have to be put on hold for at least a week. Harp and three other Greyhounds have been suspended for what ENMU head coach Mark Ribaudo calls a “violation of team rules.”
Although a press release from the university calls the suspensions “indefinite,” Ribaudo said the length of time will probably be a week.
“At least this week,” Ribaudo said. “I’ve pretty much got it in my mind (for a week) and we’ll just see how the suspension goes — how he (Harp) and some other players handle it.”
Javelina Men's Basketball Team: Obstacles To Overcome
KINGSVILLE - Thursday afternoon the Texas A&M-Kingsville men's basketball team held their first official practice of the 2009-2010 season, lacking many of the familiar faces from last year's NCAA Tournament team.
This year's squad is much smaller than the one that cashed in 19 wins and is without their three leading scorers from a year ago. Anthony Jones and Clyde Johnson both graduated, while leading scorer Robert Williams flunked out. Nevermind losing their team leader and starting point guard Wendell Mulkey.
Jones Tabbed For Preseason Honor
Midnight Madness was "Best Ever"
Volleyball News
W. Volleyball. Lady Buffs ranked Second In South Central Region
ACU No. 7 in first regional poll
UCO pushes No. 7 ACU to 5 games
Wildcats Win in Five Sets at UCO
Valiant Effort
Lady Buff volleyball
#6 Lady Buffs too much for Aggies
Mustangs dust Eastern New Mexico, 3-0
'Belles handle SWOSU
Volleyball Beaten by ASU
Hicks ignites ECU to 3-1 victory
TexAnns fall to ECU, 3-1
A&M-Commerce Volleyball Picks Up Win Over Texas Woman's
TWU volleyball rallies, but falls to Texas A&M-Commerce in five sets
Carpenter, King and Rhoades Combine for 15 kills Against Midwestern, Zias Fall to Mustangs
Volleyball: Volleyball Falls as TAMUK Rallies
Hoggies Down Savage Storm in Five
Pioneers volleyball falls in four sets to UA-Fort Smith
Soccer News
WT Buffs Soccer Capsule
Wildcats Prepare for Home Finale
W. Soccer: Game Day: No. 21 Mustangs face dangerous ENMU squad on the road
Tennis News
ACU doubles team to play for third place today
ACU duo falls in semifinals
Stipanic, Ziputovic fall in ITA national quarterfinals
LSC Weekly Cross Country Release
LSC Runners of the Week
MALE
Amos Sang, Abilene Christian, Jr., Eldoret, Kenya
Amos Sang cruised to a 50-second victory Saturday morning in the individual race at the Naimadu Pre-Regional cross country meet. Sang covered the four-mile course in 18:58.25 helping lead ACU to a second place team finish.
FEMALE
Sydnee Cole, Midwestern State, Jr., Phillipsburg, Kan./Phillipsburg HS
Cole smashed her own 4K school record by blistering the course at Nelson Park in 14:56.64 to finish third in the Naimadu Pre-Regional in Abilene. The transfer from Butler County (Kan.) Community College closed a 30-second gap between her and top Dallas Bapitst runners Hannah Steffan and Laura Mucho at the Missouri Southern Stampede.
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