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Nov. 1, 2006
Virginia sophomore linebacker is one of the leaders of the Virginia defense. He leads the team with 66 tackles this season. Here are some of his thoughts on playing football at UVa:
QUESTION: A couple of times this year you’ve played every snap on defense. Did you see that happening before the start of the season?
COPPER: No, I didn’t. I saw myself playing on special teams and contributing on defense for a good number of plays, but not quite this many. But it has been all good!
QUESTION: Coach Groh is active coaching the linebackers this year. What do you enjoy most about that experience?
COPPER: Coach Groh is very knowledgeable about the position as a coach. He brings up lots of little details and practical things that help me contribute more to the team. He also calls the defenses, helping me to know more why he calls what he does in certain situations.
QUESTION: When was the last time you surprised yourself on the field. Describe the situation.
COPPER: This year the Wyoming game was a surprise for me. I had been pretty sick all week and the worst was Friday night and Saturday morning. I had a lot of close family and friends and ministers praying for me and had the trainers and doctors working with me all morning before the game. I really didn’t know what to expect as far as my performance, but it turned out to be my best game to date.
QUESTION: What is your favorite moment in a game?
COPPER: There are a few. I like opening kickoff. I like praying with some guys before we warm up. I like it when I make a tackle. I like third downs.
QUESTION: Do you ever notice the fan noise during the game? How can that impact your play?
COPPER: The only time I really notice crowd noise when I’m on the field is when I’m trying to make calls. It is the worst at home and especially on third downs. But most of the guys are on the same page and know what the calls will be anyways, so it really isn’t that big of a problem. But yeah, I notice. I notice before the opening kickoff, and when a touchdown is scored, and when we have them backed up on defense. The noise definitely provides energy to the guys on the field, me included. When the crowd is loud before a snap and the quarterback can’t hear or be heard before the play it has an effect on the play.
QUESTION: What’s your favorite class you’re taking right now?
COPPER: Right now I don’t really have a favorite. They are all pretty cool. I took two great ones over the summer: Death and Dying with Justin Holcombe, and Christianity, Politics, and Economics with Keith Starkenburg.
QUESTION: When you want to get away from football, what do you like to do?
COPPER: I have thought about attending seminary and going into ministry. My dad has been in sales and construction so those are also some options. Really though, I just want to serve the Lord in however He leads me and be a good father and husband.
QUESTION: Growing up, was there a favorite defensive player you enjoyed watching?
I always enjoyed watching Junior Seau’s passion and intensity.
QUESTION: Did you ever come to UVa games as a kid? Did you ever think you would be playing in Scott Stadium?
COPPER: No, my first UVA game was my junior year in high school. We beat Penn State up here in December. I had actually been to more Virginia Tech games when I came to the team my freshman year than UVA games, because I live 35 minutes from Tech, and I grew up a Notre Dame fan.
QUESTION: There are a lot of rituals associated with football. What’s your favorite?
COPPER: I like praying with guys when we get to the stadium and get out on the field before a game. There are about 10 or 12 guys I pray with each week and I just go up to them individually and pray or in groups of three or four.