Mike Kozlakowski has dedicated himself to the weight room as a member of the University of Maine football team.
As it turns out, he is a little bit too strong for what his body could handle.
The junior, who spent last fall working his way back from a ruptured biceps tendon in his left arm, has incurred the same injury — this time on the right side. He will not play again this season.
“I’m pretty much devastated,” the defensive end said on Monday afternoon.
Kozlakowski, a 6-foot-3, 255-pounder from Lynbrook, New York, was injured during the third quarter of the Black Bears’ season-opening 10-6 victory over Norfolk State on Aug. 30. He made three tackles in the contest, two for a loss of yardage, including a quarterback sack.
“When it happened, I kind of sensed something similar to the previous injury, he said.
Last week, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test revealed that he had ruptured his biceps tendon. Doctors advised him to have the injury surgically repaired to expedite a healthy return to the field in 2015.
“The option of having surgery was very difficult to make,” said Kozlakowski, who could have tried to continue playing, but will undergo the procedure next week. “That way, I’ll be guaranteed it will never happen again.”
Doctors told him his condition is rare. His biceps tendon was unable to support the strength of the muscles in his upper arm, which led to the tear.
With the physical injury comes the emotional challenges.
“It’s just perseverance and hanging in there,” head coach Jack Cosgrove said of his message to Kozlakowski in dealing with the setback.
“I don’t know if there’s any magic words for him. The kid’s got to hang in there in support of his teammates and be around the program and get as much strength out of that as he possibly can,” Cosgrove added.
Kozlakowski was UMaine’s leader in tackles for a loss in 2012 with 9½ and finished with 47 tackles, including five sacks.
He suffered the injury to his left arm on the first day of contact during preseason workouts in August 2013. He worked his way back in time to play in the Black Bears’ Football Championship Subdivision playoff game against New Hampshire.
That experience taught the business management major some important lessons.
“Pretty much it’s just about having positive energy,” Kozlakowski said. “I’m going to have to be tough and it has motivated me to work even harder.”
He said he will help out however he can, especially when counseling younger players who are dealing with injuries.
Kozlakowski plans to return for his senior (fifth) season of eligibility next fall and indicated that he will seek approval to play a sixth year because he has missed two full seasons due to injuries.
In the meantime, it will be another test of the young man’s resolve in trying to remain patient and get healthy.
The loss of Kozlakowski may result in some changes for UMaine’s defensive line personnel.
Junior Trevor Bates of Westbrook is the starter on one side, while senior Jon Louis and redshirt freshman Jean Point-Dujour both saw action in the first game.
The Black Bears have demonstrated the ability to establish a three- or four-man rotation at end in recent years and the loss of Kozlakowski will mean more playing time for the others.
“We’re in the process right now of doing some things up front that hopefully will help us overcome the loss,” Cosgrove said.
Cornerback comebacks
UMaine did receive some better news in regard to an injury to Sherrod Baltimore.
Cosgrove said the junior cornerback, who suffered a left knee injury on a muffed punt during the third quarter of the Norfolk State game, is expected to return to practice on Tuesday.
Baltimore, a first-time starter at corner, was the Black Bears’ only veteran at the position in the opener. That’s because senior Axel Ofori missed the game with an ankle injury.
However, Ofori also has been making gains as he tries to work his way back into the lineup. He was performing rehabilitation exercises and drills during practice last week.