FAYETTE - T.C. Hicks had never seen snow. Dwayne Croker didn't own a winter coat. And neither could pinpoint where Upper Iowa University was on a map.

Raised in tropical temperatures in Immokalee, Fla., nearly two hours northwest of Miami, Hicks and Croker just wanted an opportunity to play college football - even if it meant traveling more than 1,500 miles from home and adjusting to a new climate.

"It wasn't what I expected, but I wanted to play football regardless of where it was at," Hicks said. "They offered me a scholarship, and I'm here. It has worked out well."

Hicks, recruited by former UIU coach Courtney Messingham, convinced the coaching staff to bring his high school teammate and best friend aboard, too.

"If T.C. wasn't here, I wouldn't be here either," Croker said. "I really didn't have any schools recruiting me out of high school, so I just wanted an opportunity to play. It didn't matter where."

It has turned out to be a perfect match for Upper Iowa.

Hicks, recruited as a defensive back but moved to tailback his freshman season, is second on the Peacocks' all-time rushing list with 2,462 yards. And with six games remaining, the senior is just 270 yards away from passing Gary Marshall (1972-75) as the school's top rusher.

The 5-foot-6, 175-pounder, however, is putting together his most productive season, averaging 7.5 yards per carry and leading the Northern Sun Conference in rushing with 634 yards.

"T.C. is a warrior," UIU coach Mike Knoll said. "He's our most consistent offensive player. Every week, you can book it you're going to get 100 yards. That's always nice to know you have that in your back pocket."

Croker has been a marquee receiver for UIU (1-4), entering Saturday's game at Minnesota-Crookston with 167 career receptions, 2,238 yards and 13 scores. He is third on the school's charts for receptions and yards behind Jackie Bridges (188-2,642) and Jesse Montalto (178-2,621).

Last season, Croker became the first Peacock receiver to have 1,000 yards receiving in a season, highlighted by 14 catches for 264 yards against Wisconsin-Stout.

"It's a big accomplishment coming from high school where I didn't get the ball a lot," said the 5-9 and 185-pound Croker.

But Hicks knew Croker could contribute to UIU's offense.

"He's a great player, and it doesn't surprise me one bit what he's been able to do," Hicks said.

The biggest challenge has been adjusting to Iowa winters - frigid temperatures and snow.

"You would have thought the cold weather would have killed them by now," Knoll said. "I'm sure there were some challenges for them and some rough spots along the way, but they have adapted."

Not completely.

"The cold weather still gets me," Croker said. "When I first got here, it was terrible. I had to go out and buy a winter coat. Now, I've got to go out and buy another one this winter because the one I got as a freshman is getting too small."

Hicks and Croker are among 16 players from the sunshine state on the Peacocks' roster.

"We've got a lot of scouting service information from the state of Florida," Knoll said. "In this day an age with technology and communication levels we've developed, we've bridged a lot of distances."

Prior to his arrival, the only thing Hicks knew about Iowa was the Hawkeye football program.

"It was a big change," he said. "There's a lot of corn and snow. Three or four years later, we've adapted pretty well."

The two contemplated leaving following a coaching change their first season, when Messingham departed for Southern Mississippi.

"We thought about it, but we didn't want to go somewhere else and start school over," Croker said. "Our parents have always talked about getting the degree and bringing home that paper (diploma). We've made the best of it."

Neither one has any regrets.

"I've been blessed," Hicks said. "I never thought I'd have a chance to be the all-time leading rusher. It's been a lot of fun and rewarding, especially having my best friend here watching me do it."

And while the two came into the state and program together, they'll depart together.

"I'm going back to Florida and the warm weather," Croker said.

"Immokalee is bigger and there's a lot more stuff to do," Hicks said. "Even though the Midwest and Iowa is much more friendly, I plan on moving back home."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

T.C. Hicks

Year Rushes Yards Avg./carry TDs

2004 90 411 4.6 2

2005 152 659 4.3 6

2006 157 758 4.8 9

2007 85 634 7.5 3

Career 484 2,462 5.1 20

Dwayne Croker

Year Rec. Yards Avg./rec. TDs

2004 17 152 8.9 1

2005 61 720 11.8 5

2006 66 1,023 15.5 5

2007 23 343 14.9 2

Career 167 2,238 13.4 13