FHSU Sports Information Department
Fort Hays State sophomore running back Shaquille Cooper was named the MIAA/AstroTurf Football Offensive Athlete of the Week on Monday (Sept. 7). Cooper had a big night in Fort Hays State’s 30-29 win over Central Oklahoma in the season opener this past Thursday.
A native of Coral Gables, Fla., Cooper put together 195 all-purpose yards and 3 touchdowns in a 30-29 win over Central Oklahoma in Edmond. He rushed for 163 yards on 21 carries, averaging 7.8 yards per carry, and added 32 receiving yards. His only two receptions of the game went for touchdowns, one from 26 yards and the other from six yards. Cooper’s rushing touchdown came on a 79-yard dash to pull the Tigers within two points in the third quarter at 23-21 after FHSU trailed 20-0 midway through the second quarter.
Cooper had a 21-yard run that sparked an 85-yard touchdown drive to get the Tigers on the board in the second quarter. His 26-yard receiving touchdown made it 20-14 in favor of UCO before halftime. His six-yard touchdown reception put the Tigers in front 27-23 with 5:00 remaining in the third. He had 24 yards of rushing on Fort Hays State’s game-winning drive that ended in a 19-yard field goal as time expired.
Cooper now has four 100-yard rushing games in his career at FHSU in just five games played at the position.