Connor Cook Temporarily Replaced by Tyler O'Connor at QB vs. Maryland

After starting Saturday's game against Maryland, Michigan State senior quarterback Connor Cook was surprisingly replaced by junior signal-caller Tyler O'Connor on the Spartans' second drive.

Cook misfired on both of his passing attempts on the opening drive before O'Connor took the reins and put MSU on top 7-0 with a touchdown pass to Macgarrett Kings Jr.

The quarterback change was short-lived, though, as Cook returned to action for Michigan State's third drive. He promptly exited the game again a couple of plays later, however, after suffering an apparent shoulder injury, per Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press.

He once again came back for the team's fourth drive, and he finished the first half before being replaced again for good to start the second half. The Spartans prevailed 24-7 to improve to 9-1.

After the game, Cook said his shoulder did not "pop out," adding that he will be ready to play next week, per Matt Charboneau of the Detroit Free Press. 

Head coach Mark Dantonio agreed with that assessment, saying he was "9.5 out of 10" that Cook will play next week, per Dan Murphy of ESPN.com. 

Cook has enjoyed a strong season for the Spartans thus far with 2,405 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions entering Saturday.

According to Big Ten Football on Twitter, he became Michigan State's all-time leader in touchdown passes after throwing four scores against Nebraska last week.

Cook entered Saturday's game having thrown for at least 300 yards in four consecutive contests. The reasoning behind his temporary benching remains unclear, but the 2015 campaign hasn't been without its low points for the winningest quarterback in MSU history.

He was surprisingly not voted a team captain by his teammates prior to the season, and while Cook showed some disappointment, he insisted it wouldn't impact his performance or attitude, per ESPN.com's Dan Murphy:

"

Obviously it stinks not to be captain. But that's why we have the leadership council -- those 12 guys. Coach [Mark Dantonio] really likes to not just have three guys leading, but 12. We've got such a deep senior class, too. ... We're not all about the titles and stuff like that. I for sure want to be captain, but it's not going to limit me from leading. I think for the position that I'm in, being a quarterback here, that's already assumed. I've been a leader here, I've been a leader since I've been starting here.

"

Cook has enjoyed a strong year statistically and helped the Spartans maintain their status as one of the best teams in the nation, so it is understandable why his exit raised some eyebrows.

Due to the seemingly bizarre circumstances surrounding Cook on Saturday, Dantonio will have no shortage of questions to answer regarding his decision.

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