Cole Jaeschke came to Div. II Upper Iowa University as a standout on the prep scene.
He led his high school, Prairie Valley, to the state semifinals and one of the more memorable seasons in school history.
After sitting out a season to gain a foothold on the Peacock playoff, it’s been all Jaeschke ever since.
Now entering his fourth season as a starter, Jaeschke’s name adorns the Upper Iowa record books. He’s No. 1 in career passing yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts, while holding single-season records for most yards and a single-game record of 606 as a sophomore.
The Peacocks have picked up a pair of victories already this season, including a 30-point fourth quarter to earn a stunning come-from-behind win over Moorhead in Week 1. To date, Jaeschke has completed 63-percent of his passes for 626 yards and four touchdowns through two games.
“We have high expectations,” said Jaeschke, in an interview with HeroSports earlier this month. “I expect us to keep getting better. We have a big group of seniors that have changed the culture here.”
Jaeschke has topped 2,000 yards passing each season under center for the Peacocks, throwing for 2,446 as a freshman, his record-setting 2,983-yard campaign as a sophomore and 2,935 more last year as a junior.
During the summer, Jaeschke enlisted the help of a quarterback guru to improve his overall skills and enhance his chances of earning a shot at a professional contract. He worked with Grant Norland, a former Truman State University quarterback.
“Grant has helped me a lot with my mechanics and it has showed thus far,” Jaeschke said. “I’d love to be able to extend my playing career in football if the opportunity arises.”
Things were a little easier in Week 2 for Upper Iowa, as they dominated Minot State, 49-3. The opening season victory over Moorhead that featured an impressive rally remains one Jaeschke will not soon forget.
“Thirty points in a quarter is crazy – especially in the fourth,” he said. “I’d have to say it is right up there as one of the craziest games I’ve ever been a part of. I was just happy we got the win….that’s all that matters.”
Jaeschke and the Peacocks scored 21 in the first vs. Minot State, giving them 51 points in two quarters of play spanning the two games.
Upper Iowa went 6-5 a year ago, the first winning season since Jaeschke arrived on campus.
