With only two weeks before the season kicks off Sept. 8 against Central Michigan, the MSU football team has some holes to patch.
The team took a big hit last week when senior tight end Chris Baker and senior linebacker Ivory McCoy both suffered long-term injuries during non-contact drills.
Baker tore the meniscus cartilage in his left knee Aug. 20 and will sit out anywhere from two-to-four weeks; McCoy will miss four-to-six weeks after fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his right foot Aug. 21.
And with freshman linebacker Seth Mitchell - second to McCoy on the depth chart - out another three weeks with a sprained right knee, the situation looks bad.
“This is a very frustrating situation,” head coach Bobby Williams said in a written statement. “We lost two starters and a promising freshman during non-contact drills - that’s unbelievable.”
Baker, a three-year starter has All-American prospects this season after ranking third on the team in receptions last season with 33 for 461 yards with two touchdowns.
“I’ll learn how to deal with the adversity,” Baker said in the statement. “I’ll be back in a few weeks and, until I’m back in the lineup, I’ll do all I can to help the other tight ends get ready to play.”
Ironically, the team’s next most experienced tight end is McCoy, who was converted into a linebacker last spring to add speed to the defense and improve the team’s pass rush.
McCoy, who started in six games last season as the second tight end and played selectively on the defense as a pass rusher, is in a unique situation since he can help coach the backups on both side of the ball.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help the young guys learn the position,” McCoy said in the statement.
But after waiting so long to play linebacker, McCoy will now have to delay most of his excitement.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” McCoy said. “I feel like I’m home (on the defense), but still that little boy in me is going to want to play offense.”
Sophomore defensive end Mike Labinjo, a converted fullback, could be switching positions again - he’ll get the first shot as McCoy’s replacement, Williams said.
Sophomore tight end Luc Mullinder, who caught two passes last season recording 20 yards in five games, will replace Baker.
Williams also said freshman tight end Ryan Woods has been showing progress in practice and could earn some playing time.
Controversial freshman Eric Knott, who caught the eye of the national media before even setting foot on campus, could also mend Baker’s hole.
In June, Knott pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in a case involving a 13-year-old girl.
He was granted a football scholarship earlier this month.
At football media day on Aug. 19, Knott declined commenting on the 30 days he spent in jail or the case itself, but said he recognizes the perception people may have of him.
He said he has also learned from his mistakes.
“What they perceive me to be is not who I am,” Knott said. “People look at me to be evil, violent or vicious, but that’s not me. I’m Eric Knott, a person who loves to help people and loves going to school. Going down the line it’s a lesson learned - I have to be careful in everything I do.”
Senior wide receiver Herb Haygood said Knott’s problems off the field will not interfere with the team’s focus on winning. He also added that Knott has the potential to be as good or better than Baker.
“We just gotta make him feel at home,” he said. “Eric’s a great guy, I don’t think it will be a distraction - he works hard everyday and does everything he’s supposed to. He’s another Chris Baker.”
