LSU fullback J.C. Copeland set to play against Florida

LSU fullback J.C. Copeland appears set to start Saturday’s game at Florida after suffering a knee injury last week.

LSU coach Les Miles said Wednesday that Copeland practiced and received the majority of first-team reps. Earlier in the week, Miles appeared unsure whether Copeland would be fit enough to play, but said Wednesday he expects him to resume his normal duties. Copeland suffered the injury during LSU’s 38-22 win over Towson.

“What it amounts to, it was more of a young guy having his leg turn in a different direction, and it didn’t really translate well to him,” Miles said. “It didn’t swell. It’s not all that tender. He worked some Tuesday and had the full practice today (Wednesday). ... I think he’ll play.”

Following practice Monday, Copeland was seen leaving the football facility without a noticeable limp, holding his knee brace. When reporters asked him how felt, he responded that he was OK.

Miles didn’t seem too concerned about the situation, joking Copeland may have put on some weight during his short absence.

“He looks a little heavier to me,” Miles said. “Is it possible that a guy can gain seven pounds? He is a large man. He will continue to be that.”

‘Happy ending’

During an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, Miles seemed to hint that the door was open for Tyrann Mathieu to return to football in 2013, saying he anticipated the situation would have a “happy ending.”

Wednesday, Miles tried to clarify what he meant.

“Everybody seems to have picked on that phrase,” Miles said. “The only thing I can tell you is that for me, to make sure you get your degree, handle your business and get your life in order. Then you go do the things you want to do. I can’t imagine he won’t have a great post-college career at whatever he will decide to do.”

Whether that future will involve football at LSU is unclear.

“I’m in no way presupposing football,” Miles said. “That’s not something I’m visioning at this point. I just want to look at my team and do the things that will make this team ready to play Saturday in Florida.”

Warhawks in 2014

LSU announced Wednesday that a meeting between the Tigers and Louisiana-Monroe has been finalized for 2014.

The teams will meet in Tiger Stadium on Sept. 6, 2014.

The contest marks the second game so far on the schedule for the 2014 season. LSU will host Georgia Southern the following week. The Eagles are in the process of moving from the Football Championship Subdivision to the top tier.

Boone’s homecoming

When LSU heads to Florida on Friday for its Saturday tilt against the Gators, Kadron Boone will be going home.

The team’s hotel is in Ocala, Fla., a 45-minute drive from Gainesville. Boone, who hails from Ocala, said the hotel is about seven minutes from his house and five from his high school.

“Some family members that don’t get a chance to see me play, get a chance to see me play at the collegiate level,” Boone said. “That’s a big thing for them. Some of them have never gotten the chance to be in a college stadium. It feels good to go back home.”

Boone said each player receives four tickets for family and friends, but he’ll need more. He said he can take extra tickets that his teammates don’t use.

Donning the eye black

Most athletes rub eye black under their eyes on sunny days to help stop the glare.

During a rainy night game against Towson last week, the stuff served a different purpose for tight ends Chase Clement and Nic Jacobs.

“I never wore eye black in high school,” Jacobs said. “I saw (Clement) putting it on and I said, ‘I might as well try it out.’ It made me look a little crazy when I was out there.”