Injured quarterback Jon Beutjer attended practice Tuesday but didn’t participate in any drills. Coach Ron Turner hasn’t ruled out Beutjer starting Saturday’s game against Western Michigan if his back and sternum injuries respond to treatment and he is pain free. . . .
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Last season, Kelvyn Hayden led Illinois in receiving with 52 receptions. After two games this year at cornerback, he has established himself as one of the team’s best defensive players.
In last weekend’s loss to UCLA he had a team-high 11 tackles (five solo), broke up two passes and sacked the quarterback.
“Kelvyn played a very solid game,” Turner said. “He made some good hits and did a solid job in his coverages.” . . .
Kendrick Jones, who has replaced Hayden as the team’s top receiver with nine catches for 211 yards in the two games, also earned praise for his performance against UCLA. . . . The 16-yard touchdown pass that sophomore Franklin Payne caught against UCLA was the second reception and first TD of his college career. . . . Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Chris Norwell wasn’t in the starting lineup, but he made an impact in the UCLA game–recording eight tackles and deflecting a pass that linebacker Mike Gawelek intercepted.
– Next: Sat. vs. Western Michigan, 1 p.m.