Illinois has lost its third defensive starter in the past three weeks, this time to an off-field incident.
Sophomore Michael Buchanan, who plays the "bandit" position, a defensive line-linebacker hybrid, has been indefinitely suspended following his weekend arrest for DUI. He'll miss Saturday's home opener against Southern Illinois and possibly more games. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Buchanan appeared in 10 games last season and recorded three tackles and a pass breakup Saturday against Missouri.
It'll be interesting to see how coordinator Vic Koenning replaces Buchanan this week against Southern Illinois. Sophomore Justin Staples was listed as Buchanan's backup on last week's depth chart.
Illinois already is down two starters in the secondary -- cornerback Terry Hawthorne (foot) and safety Supo Sanni (Achilles, out for season) -- and has lost several other potential defensive starters in recent months.
Sophomore Michael Buchanan, who plays the "bandit" position, a defensive line-linebacker hybrid, has been indefinitely suspended following his weekend arrest for DUI. He'll miss Saturday's home opener against Southern Illinois and possibly more games. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Buchanan appeared in 10 games last season and recorded three tackles and a pass breakup Saturday against Missouri.
It'll be interesting to see how coordinator Vic Koenning replaces Buchanan this week against Southern Illinois. Sophomore Justin Staples was listed as Buchanan's backup on last week's depth chart.
Illinois already is down two starters in the secondary -- cornerback Terry Hawthorne (foot) and safety Supo Sanni (Achilles, out for season) -- and has lost several other potential defensive starters in recent months.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Adam Rittenberg
Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago.
Brian Bennett
Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville.
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