Michigan State facing Ohio State without Connor Cook at QB

COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 9 Michigan State started backup quarterback Tyler O'Connor against No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday, as fifth-year senior starter Connor Cook sat with an injured right shoulder.

Cook, who hurt the shoulder early in last week's victory against Maryland and didn't play in the second half, told reporters earlier in the week he was "going to be ready to go." But that apparently wasn't the case, as the Spartans sat their All-American candidate in the biggest game of their season.

The Spartans substituted O'Connor during their first drive for sophomore Damion Terry. It was immediately unclear why they made the switch but it would not seem to bode well for Cook to see any action on Saturday, particularly in cold and rainy weather.

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