Post by David on Sept 8, 2015 15:35:52 GMT -8
EWU WR Cooper Kupp shattered receiving records against Oregon (image credit: Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
9.8.15 -
Eastern Washington University wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been been named the Big Sky Conference's Offensive Player of the week as well as ROOT Sports co-Offensive Player of the Week.
The junior wide receiver from Yakima, WA had a sensational game against the Oregon Ducks. He set career highs with 15 receptions for 246 yards, both of which are Autzen Stadium records. Kupp led all EWU receivers with a 16.4 yards per catch average, including a game-long 73 yard pass from QB Jordan West in the 42-61 loss. He also scored 3 receiving touchdowns, increasing his career total to 40 TD receptions, which is 12th in Football Championship Subdivision history.
With his performance against Oregon, Kupp ranks second all-time in Eagle and Big Sky Conference History. The school and Big Sky records are currently held by former Eagle Eric Kimble (46). He also went over 200 receptions in his career, giving him a career total of 212 in his career, sixth in school history. His 246 receiving yards increased his career total to 3,366, third in school history.
Eagles head coach Beau Baldwin spoke highly of Kupp, a two-time consensus NCAA FCS All-American. “I’d be shocked if you could show me a better receiver at any level in the country," said Baldwin. "Usually I don’t talk like that, but that’s how I feel right now and think that we have. We are very fortunate to have him as a leader and player on this football team.”
Entering this season, Kupp has scored at least once in 24 of 28 games he has played in his career, including 15 performances of at least eight catches and 15 with at least 100 receiving yards. He also has had 18 receptions of 40 yards or more, 9 of which were touchdowns.
If he remains at Eastern next year for his senior season, Kupp could add more to his name in the FCS, Big Sky, and EWU record books. Kupp set a total of six FCS records in his debut season, as well as four school marks and a Big Sky record. As a redshirt freshman in 2013, he broke the FCS all-time record for receptions, yards and touchdowns by a freshman with totals of 93 catches, 1,691 yards and 21 TDs, a record previously held by former NFL WR Randy Moss.
Kupp also broke the all-time FCS record with a TD catch in 14 consecutive games, breaking the record of 11 held by Randy Moss. He and teammate Ashton Clark also set the FCS record for combined receiving yards by two players with a total of 2,924 (Kupp with 1,691 and Clark with 1,233). He set his lone Big Sky record as a sophomore in 2014, recording 21 touchdown receptions and breaking a 45-year-old record of 20 TD catches set by Ed Bell from Idaho State in 1969.
"The thing that takes him over the top in comparing him to other receivers in the country is his will," Baldwin added in an interview with KXLY 4 News. "You marvel when you see him out there doing what he is doing. Somebody asked him how he breaks so many tackles, and it’s very simple to him, ‘I don’t like to be tackled so I refuse to be tackled.’ That’s a mindset. It’s kind of like the mental toughness you need to be tired and still play through it. The guys who can do that have grit, and Cooper has another type of grit...We’re blessed to have him because not only is he an incredible football receiver, but he’s an incredible football player."
-DKH
To comment on this thread and others on this forum, please login or register.
