FAYETTE - Back in early August, DaeJohn Love was one of many freshmen trying to get noticed by Upper Iowa's football coaches.

Love's hope was to possibly contribute to the Peacocks sometime during his rookie season.

Love didn't make the trip to UIU's 65-6 trouncing of Lincoln University in its season opener.

But that didn't mean the 2009 Waterloo East graduate wasn't getting noticed by the Peacocks' coaching staff, with head coach Tom Shea among the interested observers.

"He just kept working hard, getting better and worked his way up through the ranks," Shea said of Love. "He's gradually worked his way to being the one of those next guys in. He's giving us valuable depth at cornerback."

By week two, Love had worked his way to backup behind senior D.W. Williams at left corner, and saw action against both the University of Mary and Northern State.

Shea, however, calls Love his No. 3 cornerback, and the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Love has received a regular rotation spot behind Williams and UIU's other starting corner, senior Brandon Clarke, in the Peacocks' last two games.

"I just wanted to come in, work hard and hope I could contribute," Love said. "Honestly, I was going to be pretty happy to play.

"I've just tried to stay focused, do what they ask and play wherever they need me."

Love, who also plays on several of the Peacocks' special team units. He has made only one tackle in two games, but Shea sees Love's production going up as he gets more experience.

"DaeJohn's got good athleticism, can run and breaks quickly," Shea said. "He is going to have a tremendous future. He's going to play a lot of ball for us."

Love says he likes playing for Shea, who is in his first season at Upper Iowa and owns a 105-76-3 mark in 18 years as a head coach.

"Every day he's out there encouraging us, telling us anything is possible and if we work hard we can accomplish any goal we set," Love said. "He is a high-energy guy. He keeps us motivated every day."

Upper Iowa (2-1 overall, 1-1 in the Northern Sun) travels to Marshall, Minn. to face Southwest Minnesota State Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Mustangs are a program much like the Peacocks, wanting to rise to the upper echelon of the NSIC.

Southwest Minnesota State recorded its first winning record in nine seasons in 2008, which included a last-second victory in Fayette over UIU.

"I was at that game on a recruiting visit," Love said. "To the guys who were here and saw it, I'd say we're motivated to get them, get the win.

"To us, it is a rivalry game and who wants it the most is going to win it."