PAGE 4 A STATE DIVIDED ■ PRESS & DAKOTAN / PLAIN TALK, 2012
JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D South Dakota State's Tyrel Kool returns the opening kickoff during the Jackrabbits' 31-10 victory over Western Illinois in Brookings. The senior from Yankton scored on the play, returning the kickoff 100 yards. During his career, Kool has been used at running back, wide receiver, return specialist and cornerback.
STATE-U FOOTBALL | TYREL KOOL Jacks Utilize Kool’s Versatility BY JAMES D. CIMBUREK of our best three or four.” sophomore or return to wide re- only had one other receiver play as [email protected] Kool first got onto the field for ceiver. hard as Tyrel did in that game. SDSU as a freshman, playing mostly “You ask Tyrel to do something “I asked him who, and he said, hen Tyrel Kool in the return game and in the defen- and he says, ‘All right. I can do it,’” ‘Tyrel, two years ago.’” sive secondary. He broke an 84-yard said SDSU wide receiver coach Josh Kool has continued to move left Yankton return against the University of Min- Davis. “He never complained.” around, getting some time in the re- W for South nesota, earning himself Missouri Val- One of the things that has allowed turn game. Earlier this season he ley Football Conference Special Kool to bounce from position to posi- took the opening kickoff against Dakota State Teams Player of the Week honors. tion during his career is his intellect. Western Illinois for a 100-yard touch- The next year he was at wide re- “The best thing about Tyrel is that down, tying a school record. University, he was re- ceiver and led the Jackrabbits with he’s a football player,” Davis said. “Whoever is on the field, we ask cruited to the football 64 receptions and 808 yards. He “When coaches tell him what to do them to do what they can to help the twice earned MVFC Offensive Player he understands things right away. He team,” Stiegelmeier said. “Tyrel does team to play running of the Week honors and was named has a great football mind.” what we ask, and does it at full back. He spent just one honorable mention all-MVFC for the That intellect — as well as his de- speed.” season. sire — are evident when Kool speaks, While moving from position to po- year in the Jackrabbit “Playing wide receiver and corner- according to Stiegelmeier. sition was a challenge for Kool, he back was a way to get me on the field “Whenever Tyrel talks to the feels it made him a better football backfield, but the sen- earlier,” Kool said. “They asked me if team, it is always well thought out,” player. ior has made an impact I was OK with it, and I took the op- he said. “On the football field he “It really helped me understand portunity.” competes. He plays his tail off for defenses better and understand our on and off the field. Kool finally got his chance in the himself and for the team.” offensive scheme,” he said. “It’s The 5-9, 190-pound speedster will backfield last season and rushed for That determination was shown in made me a more versatile player.” play the final regular season game of a team-high 534 yards. the Jackrabbits’ loss to FBS Kansas Kool will also take away an appre- his career on Saturday, entering the “I had to get a little bit heavier so in the season opener. In the game, he ciation for hard work. game ranked in the top-10 all-time for I could take a beating,” Kool said of caught eight passes for 76 yards and “It’s about being able to bring SDSU in career receptions. returning to running back. “In terms a score. your lunch pail to work and be the “We thought he’d be a running of learning the system, it’s just a little “We give out a ball at the end of best at what you do, no matter what back his whole career,” said SDSU bit different mindset.” the game. The balls are deflated, and it is you do,” he said. head football coach John But late in the season, freshman we give it to a player who left it all Stiegelmeier. “Out of need we moved Zach Zenner emerged as a solid op- out on the field,” Stiegelmeier said. “I You can follow James D. Cimburek him around. We wanted to get our tion in the run game. Kool was left asked coach Davis who he thought on Twitter at twitter.com/ aceman904 best 11 on the field, and he was one with a choice, play behind a standout should get it, and he said that he’d
AREA SPOTLIGHT: AREA SPOTLIGHT: AUSTIN KOCH QB’s ROBBIE JELSMA From Page 3
“He’s gotten healthier from his injury and he’s gotten comfortable in understanding that not every- thing is always going to block,” SDSU head coach John Stiegelmeier said. “Last year we did a good job blocking for him. “I think he just understands where we’re at as an offense. He’s very comfortable in his role.” That’s where experience helps someone like Sumner. He’s been in big games, including last Saturday’s showdown at North Dakota State, but nothing close to the fervor sur- rounding the matchup with USD. “Every week is a big game in this conference, so we’re used to play- ing good teams,” Sumner said. “These have the asterisk on them just because of who they area. We’ll have a lot of fun, we’ve worked hard all year, and we’re looking for- ward to taking care of business.”
JEREMY HOECK/P&D Austin Koch (83), a junior wide receiver from Tyndall, has played in eight games this season, including a start You can follow Jeremy Hoeck on at Missouri State. Koch has recorded two tackles on special teams this season. He recorded a career-best Twitter at twitter.com/ jhoeck four tackles in USD’s victory over then No. 1 Eastern Washington in the 2011 season. DAKOTA BEVERAGE Mon-Fri: 6:30-5 COMPANY Saturday: 7-4 605 S. Wayland Ave. 301 E. 3rd Sioux Falls, SD 57103 709 E. Cherry 605-339-2337 JAMES D. CIMBUREK/P&D Yankton 509 Washington St. Robbie Jelsma, a sophomore linebacker from Springfield, has played in Vermillion six games this season, recording 11 tackles. Three times this season he 665-7423 Gayville, SD has recorded three tackles, in consecutive weeks against Western Illinois, 624.6306 Northern Iowa and Youngstown State. He also recorded three tackles, in- www.unitedbuildingcenters.com (605) 267-3100 cluding a sack, during the 2011 season against FBS Illinois. We Deliver!