Cooley is hot for USU

Sometimes it takes someone leaving to realize exactly what you have.

      Sounds a lot like a love story. In a way it is.
      Utah State head coach Mick Dennehy loves the way senior tight end Chris Cooley catches and runs with the football, but he didn't fully realize Cooley's talents until running back Emmett White left two years ago.
      "I guess with Emmett going it took us a little time to figure out, I guess, that we have another guy here that gives us some other elements that we don't have without him," Dennehy said.
      The departure of Kevin Curtis, who was drafted in the third round by the St. Louis Rams this year, also leaves another void. Curtis tallied 74 catches for 1,258 yards and nine touchdowns.
      The year after White's graduation, and working along side Curtis, Cooley recorded 31 catches — third-best on the team — for 502 yards and four touchdowns.
      In the last four games, he emerged with 22 of his 31 catches for 376 yards. He had six for 60 yards in a win over New Mexico State; seven for 134 yards in a win over Troy State and five for 105 yards in a loss to Middle Tennessee.
      "I think, by position, our tight ends may have gotten overlooked," Dennehy said. "At the end of the year the inside receiver that had the most catches was the running back (not the tight end)."

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