STATESBORO-   One can imagine the thrill it would be to make 76-yard touchdowns on a Saturday night, under stadium lights with thousands of screaming fans. When the lights turn off and the fans go home, Dalen Cobb finds that same feeling on his dirt bike.
 
Georgia Southern wide receiver Dalen Cobb is from Washington, Ga., a small town just 40 miles east of Athens, Ga. "It's in the middle of nowhere. We probably have three red lights and one grocery store. It's just football, that's it," said Cobb.
 
At age eight, the small-town junior found his love to ride in a rebellious act. "I stole my cousin's four-wheeler when I was about eight years old, and ever since then I've been riding them," said Cobb. While his act of rebellion got him into trouble with his parents, it unlocked a passion that brought him back to the feeling he found on the field.
 
Cobb was deemed a dual threat in high school as he played various positions, including quarterback. Now playing at Georgia Southern, Cobb has specialized as a wide receiver. The Eagles wide receiver uses his motocross hobby to rev him up during the football season.
 
"It's like a reward, knowing if I go hard and have a good week or day, I can go home and ride my dirt bike," said Cobb. "I don't have to worry about what I may have messed up at practice or anything; I can just ride my dirt bike."
 
Athletes are typically defined solely by their sport, but for Cobb, his love for football is tied to his love for riding. "They both give me the free feeling. It's just me and the ball or just me and the bike," said Cobb.
 
Cobb has shared his passion for riding with some of his team, getting fellow wide receiver Marcus Sanders Jr. and Assistant Coach Clint Trickett to experience the adrenaline rush. "We get to ride at Coach Trickett's house sometimes; it's been fun," said Cobb.
 
Cobb's dirt bike is locked up for safekeeping to keep Cobb safe during the season. He is filling his need for a thrill on the field as the Eagles continue to push through the season with a 6-3 mark heading into this week's bye week.

On the season, Cobb leads the team with 42 receptions for 488 yards and four scores.

Kylie Vickers is a senior public relations major from Buford, Georgia.