In so many ways — or maybe just the way I watch the game and write the stories — Austin Copeland is pretty much what the situation at WVU calls for these days.

The walk-on linebacker from Woodbridge, Va., who hadn’t played a down before the TCU game, played 27 reps on both of the punt and kickoff teams.

Copeland made the journey from waiting on offers from Virginia and ECU and Division II schools as he tried to get his grades in order all the way to Hargrave Military Academy. He only arrived at WVU in August, but went from scout team terror early in the season to the real defense during the open week. He opened eyes and got on the special teams and did well.

Dana Holgorsen has been looking for guys who get in position and not only know what to do when they get there, but who actually do it. Copeland was about as close as one can be between permissible and penalty on Tavon Austin’s punt return touchdown, but he made the block, did his job and facilitated what should have been the game-winning touchdown.

“I was doing as I was told,” he said. “I was told to get back and help our gunner. As I was getting there, I noticed their guy was beating my teammate and he was going to get there as the ball was getting there.”

Copeland wasn’t sure if Austin had called for a fair catch. All he saw was the TCU player timing his approach and lining up Austin, who caught the ball and stepped forward. Copeland arrived and knew Austin’s step forward brought him even with the TCU defender, who still might make the play if he wasn’t blocked, but who might get blocked in the back if Copeland decided to do it.

That would be a penalty and that was not something WVU’s stagnated offense needed. The Mountaineers needed a jolt.

“I got there just in time and I didn’t hit him in the back,” he said. “I was trying to get my head around him and hit him in from the front with a clean block – I didn’t want to kill him. I just wanted to get my body in his area so Tavon could do his thing.”