MSU's Copeland tells teammates he's out for year

EAST LANSING – Demetrious Cox and the rest of Michigan State’s defensive backs got the word straight from Vayante Copeland, in a group text last week – the starting cornerback told them he is done for the season with a neck injury.

​“It broke my heart when he texted us and said he was out for the season,” Cox said Saturday after No. 4 MSU’s 35-21 win over Air Force. “It was shocking, especially a younger guy who has come so far. He’s making plays, obviously, and it was tough. But it’s the next-man-up mentality. No matter what happens, somebody’s got to be able to step up and make plays.”

​Copeland, a redshirt freshman who was one of MSU’s best defensive backs in the first two games, went out early in the fourth quarter of last week’s 31-28 win over Oregon. He wore street clothes and a neck brace on the sideline Saturday.

​If he can’t return, that would mark two defensive starters lost for the season for the Spartans, starting with senior linebacker Ed Davis’ knee injury in preseason camp.

​MSU has yet to officially address the specifics of Copeland’s injury. Co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett said his replacements “did a pretty good job,” but he needs to watch the film to get a better sense.

Senior Arjen Colquhoun started in Copeland’s place, with Jermaine Edmondson and Darian Hicks also seeing action. Colquhoun had two tackles.

He appeared to get mixed up in the fourth quarter on a play that ended in a 44-yard reception for a wide-open Jale Robinette, setting up Air Force’s final touchdown. He was beat late for a potential go-ahead touchdown last week against Oregon, but the pass was overthrown.

“You can see what you see on TV,” Cox said of the play of Copeland’s replacements, “but no matter how you think a guy plays, the little things are what counts.”

MSU senior linebacker Darien Harris started but “wasn’t 100% healthy” after an early hit, Barnett said, so he watched the rest of the game as true freshman Andrew Dowell took over at “star” linebacker.

MSU also lost defensive end Lawrence Thomas late to a leg injury, but Thomas appeared to be walking with no limp on the sideline.

Respect, criticism for Air Force: After the game, MSU players stood with the Falcons as the Air Force Academy band played the school’s alma mater. It was a show of respect between the two schools, preceded by cheers from MSU fans when the Falcons took the field before the game.

On the field, though, the Falcons were called for five personal fouls, including three calls for chop blocks in the first 20 minutes. There was a penalty for roughing the passer, and another roughing-the-passer call that was wiped out because MSU was called for holding on the same play.

“You just kind of shake your head and you go, ‘OK, these guys are a service academy and they’re protecting our country’ and you think they’re gonna be respectful guys,” MSU senior quarterback Connor Cook said. “And there were just some things out there you just shake your head and you go, ‘Wow, I don’t know why they did that.’ But we respect them, obviously, they’re a great football team. Hard-nosed, played to the last whistle. It’s the same thing you get with other teams. Other teams do cheap shots, we’ve done some cheap shots before.”

Tidbits: Former MSU defensive tackle Jerel Worthy was MSU’s honorary captain, and receiver AJ Troup was the game captain. … Senior DeAnthony Arnett and junior R.J. Shelton started at receiver for the Spartans. Benny McGowan started at right guard with Donavon Clark bumping outside to start at right tackle for Kodi Kieler (knee).

Contact Joe Rexrode: jrexrode@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joerexrode. Check out his MSU blog at freep.com/heyjoe.

Download our new Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!