Judging from the way Morris Virgil and James Cooper played in the rout of Florida A&M, it appears they are making successful transitions from the offensive to the defensive backfield.
Virgil, who started at strong safety, had four unassisted tackles, two assisted tackles and broke up a pass. Cooper, who backed up Alan Ball at one of the cornerback slots, had two unassisted and four assisted tackles. . . .
Matt Sinclair, last season’s Big Ten leader in tackles during conference games, was back at it against Florida A&M. The senior linebacker led the Illini with five solo and three unassisted tackles. . . .
Defensive end Mike O’Brien and quarterback Jon Beutjer showed no ill effects from their respective knee and back operations.Beutjer said his surgically repaired back “was sore from standing; other than that it felt real good.”