Sept. 12, 2001

One play. That is all it took for Curtis Cooper to break onto the scene at Southeast Missouri State last season. Although Cooper played in the opening game of the 2000 season, it was his big punt return against rival Southern Illinois in week two that sparked one of the biggest comebacks in football history.

After Southeast dug themselves into a 31-0 hole, most fans thought the game was over. Although Southeast had managed 14 points during the third quarter, the prospects for a win looked bleak. But with 1:04 to play in the third quarter, Cooper broke a huge 66-yard punt return for a touchdown to pull the Indians within two touchdowns at 33-21. It was at that moment that the comeback was a reality and Southeast would eventually go on to win that game 34-33.

A week later, Southeast was leading nationally ranked Illinois State 14-7 early in the third quarter when an Indian drive stalled and Southeast was faced with a 4th and 11 at their own 45-yard line. Everyone in attendance, including the Illinois State team, thought that All-American punter Jason Witczak would attempt another punt to pin the Redbirds deep in their own territory. But Head Coach Tim Billings decided to gamble and he called Cooper's number.

In a flash Cooper, acting as the upback, took the center's snap and rushed 55-yards down the field, eluding Redbird tacklers and scored to extend the Southeast lead to 21-7, in a game the Indians would eventually win. Two weeks, two big time plays that changed the face of games. It was from that moment that everyone knew that Curtis Cooper was a big-time playmaker for Southeast Missouri State.

Cooper, originally from Toledo, Ohio, was an all-state performer at Bowsher High School. After graduation, Cooper made his way to Independence Junior College in Independence, Kansas. It was at Independence that Cooper caught the eye of Coach Billings' staff as an athlete that would fit perfectly into the spread offense.

After arriving at Southeast, Cooper was forced to move to wide receiver, in part because Southeast had several talented running backs and Coach Billings wanted to use Cooper's explosive speed as a wideout. The move was accepted by Cooper, but he was not necessarily thrilled about the change.

"I've always considered myself a running back," Cooper said. "I wanted to play running back but the team needed help at the wide receiver position and I was happy to help in any way I could. I'd only played wide receiver in sand-lot games and it really took me the whole season to get adjusted."

Cooper also saw extended action as a punt/kick returner in 2000. He recorded eight games of 100-plus all-purpose yards, including a season-high 186 yards at playoff-bound Eastern Illinois in November. For the season, Cooper racked up 30 catches for 289 yards at wideout and 1238 total all-purpose yards.

After several losses at running back in the off-season, Cooper was moved back to his natural position of running back for the 2001 season. "I am really excited to be back in what I feel is my natural position," Cooper said. "I was a running back in high school, in junior college and now once again at Southeast. I was loving football again."

The results were almost immediate, as in his first start at running back this season, Cooper shredded the Division I-A Eastern Michigan defense for 129 rushing yards. He also caught three passes out of the backfield for 28 total yards. Cooper's soft hands and ability to catch passes will be a big asset for Southeast this season.

"Being a running back in this offense means you are going to have the opportunity to catch a lot of passes," Cooper said. "That is what the offense is designed for. I think I have always been a good receiver out of the backfield."

More importantly, Cooper was happy to be playing at Ypsilanti because it meant many of his family and friends from nearby Toledo were able to make the 30-minute trip. His girlfriend Stephanie, who Curtis explained is a huge football fan, organized the biggest group and brought them to Michigan.

"I was just thrilled to play in front of a home crowd. It was the first time many of them had gotten to see me play since high school. It was a great feeling for playing in front of so many people I knew. I was not only playing for our team to win but also for my friends and family."

Cooper's explosive speed and athleticism have also earned him the opportunity to returns punts against SMS. "Curtis has proven that do can do it and we want our best person back there," Coach Billings said. Cooper elaborated, "The guys are expecting me to make big plays this year. It's a fantastic feeling when I can get back there and make something happen. No matter who much I am playing at running back, I am always ready to get out there on special teams."

When asked about his favorite running backs and who his football idols were, Cooper listed Tampa Bay's Warrick Dunn and former Detroit Lion Barry Sanders. "I really like Warrick because he is about my size and weight. I see him in there taking a beating each week and he keeps coming back stronger. It gives me hope that I can do something like that. Plus, I got to meet Barry before the Eastern Michigan game and I was actually an inch taller than he was which was pretty cool."

After this year Cooper, a public relations/mass communications major, would like to continue playing football somewhere. "Hopefully we will continue to have a great year and someone will notice me and invite me to a camp."