After redshirt year, NIU receiver Cole Tucker on field
DeKALB - Cole Tucker spent last year watching from the sidelines knowing that in all likelihood he was not going to see any playing time.
After the season, the NCAA altered its redshirt rules, allowing a player to participate in four games and retain redshirt status.
"It was upsetting," Tucker said. "There were games I probably could have gotten in last year, played in a couple plays at least, 'cause we were up by a lot. Four games to play in, that really upset me when that happened this year."
The DeKalb High School alumnus said he's been going to NIU games since he was 10. Last year was a different vantage point, watching from the sidelines.
This year has been a new perspective - on the field.
"I got to travel to every game last year, so I got that experience," Tucker said. "But, yeah, it was hard not being able to play, sitting on the sideline knowing I'm not going to be able to go in unless something bad happens."
On Saturday at Florida State, Tucker had a career best 6 catches for 40 yards. He has 8 catches for 55 yards on the year and has been the main punt returner, although he's returned only two punts for an average of 7 yards.
"I definitely got more comfortable last game," Tucker said. "I've been moving from the inside to the slot a lot these last three games, it just depends on the personnel we have out there, and with Spencer (Tears) coming back it kind of shifted. But Marcus (Childers) and I are getting a little more comfortable with each other."
Tucker was a standout for the Barbs before joining the Huskies. He said that although he's attending school so close to home, he tries to think like he's in a different town.
"I've got a lot of people texting me, coming to the games, excited to see me on TV against big teams," Tucker said. "Even though it's down the street for me, I kind of act like I'm not in DeKalb ... just so I can focus more on football and school."
The Huskies (1-3, 1-0 MAC) head to Eastern Michigan (2-2, 0-1) Saturday to face a much improved Eagles team.
As is the rest of the team, Tucker said he's not thinking too much about a 1-3 start that includes losses to Iowa, Utah and the Seminoles.
"Obviously there's some games we should have won, but we've played four excellent teams so far," Tucker said. "Eastern Michigan is no slouch, so we're looking for a good week in practice and go 2-0 in conference."