Cook Named Sport Network Pre-Season All-American

[IAA Fan]

Youngstown State senior tailback Jamaine Cook was tabbed a preseason third-team All-America selection by The Sports Network on Monday.

Running backs on the first team were Indiana State's Shakir Bell and Sam Houston State's Timothy Flanders. Earning second-team nods were Jordan Brown of Bryant and Matt Denham of Eastern Kentucky. Cook was joined by Jacksonville State's Washan Ealey on the third team.

Cook was a first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference pick last year, along with Bell. For the campaign, Cook rushed for 1,386 yards on 271 carries and scored 13 touchdowns. In 2011, Cook was seventh in the FCS in rushing (126.00) and 14th in all-purpose yards (145.36) per contest.

He had eight 100-yard rushing performances and had at least 90 yards in 10 contests on the year. For the season, he averaged 126 yards rushing per contest.

Season tickets for the 2012 season are available by calling the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 941-1978.

[IAA Fan]

I have a hard time believing Bell is First & Cook is third.  Looks like both Jamaine and our defense have some unfinished business to take care of ...especially against ISU. Granted Bell is more of a traditional Gateway prototype, but Cook is a senior & is at least Bell's equal. It would not be so bad, if they were 1-2 ...but 1-3. has me questioning the rank.

[Wick250]

Remember that All-American rankings are based largely upon statistics and that it is very difficult for a YSU back to rack up the stats since we rotate two and sometimes three backs during the course of a game.  Bell is very good, but he benefited from the presence of that PAC-10 qb who has now graduated.  With ISU now lacking that passing threat, let's see how Bell does against stacked defenses.  As you note, third team for Cook is really absurd when you consider that they picked Bryant and Eastern Kentucky backs on the second unit.  The poor competition in those leagues should disqualify those guys from any national honors.