The dominant story line of the 2015 college football season, unfortunately, trudges on. This time it’s newly-minted No. 2 Michigan State’s turn, as cornerback Vayante Copeland has been lost for the season with a fractured vertebra.
A redshirt freshman from Dayton, Ohio, Copeland (13) did not play in the Spartans’ 35-21 win over Air Force Saturday. Head coach Mark Dantonio indicated Copeland will undergo a full recovery and should return in time for spring practice.
“It’s very unfortunate,” Dantonio told MLive.com. “He’s a good player, he’s a great person. But he’s handling it very, very well.”
Copeland earned a starting job out of fall camp and posted seven tackles and an interception in two games of action. He left the field for good after a collision with Oregon running back Royce Freeman in Michigan State’s 31-28 Sept. 12 defeat of the Ducks.
Senior Arjen Colquhoun started in Copeland’s place Saturday. He is the second defensive starter the Spartans have lost for the season, following linebacker Ed Davis’ exit in fall practice.