CHAMPAIGN, ILL. • Illinois lost another defensive starter when Michael Buchanan was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol after the season opener and suspended indefinitely.
Buchanan plays the "bandit'' position, a spot that takes a combination of defensive end and linebacker skills, and he will be replaced Saturday by Clay Nurse, who started at defensive end against Missouri. The Illini will face Southern Illinois University Carbondale in their home opener.
The sophomore from Homewood, Ill., was arrested early Sunday morning after the Illini lost to Mizzou in St. Louis. Buchanan had three tackles and one pass breakup.
"If anything,'' coach Ron Zook said, "he needs someone to put an arm around him because when I got done with him he probably didn't feel (good). But he's still ours. He's a good person and we'll go from there.''
Zook wouldn't comment on how long the suspension would last until he received further information. Buchanan is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 1.
With Nurse moving to bandit, sophomore Whitney Mercilus will take over a starting job at defensive end. The Illini already are without safety Supo Sanni (ruptured Achilles tendon) and cornerback Terry Hawthorne (foot).
Zook said Nurse practiced some at bandit in the spring and during preseason camp and has been interested in playing linebacker since arriving at Illinois. Mercilus, he said, has earned more playing time.
"He played extremely well Saturday and we've seen him since camp begin to improve,'' Zook said. "We talked Friday about getting him on the field because he's earned that and is playing his tail off.''
Home at DB?
Zook said he expects Justin Green, Jack Ramsey and Steve Hull to remain at defensive back for the long haul after all three moved from offense in recent weeks to plug holes created by injuries.
However, as always, he will leave it up to the players to decide if they want to return to their original positions later in the season. Green was slated to be a reserve running back, and Ramsey and Hull provided depth at receiver.
"They're all temporary until they tell me it's where they want to stay,'' Zook said. "If they tell me it's time to go back, that will be up to them. ... I'll bet all three stay on defense.''
Hull and Green combined for 13 tackles against Mizzou, and Ramsey's time was limited by cramps.
No ill effects
Although fitted with a splint for a finger he injured early in camp, receiver A.J. Jenkins has not suffered any problems, Zook said. The junior, who nearly left the program in the offseason, had three catches for 33 yards and the team's only touchdown in the opener.
"I don't think the cast affects him at all,'' Zook said. "I saw him make catches in practice (Monday) that were unbelievable. He'll tell you it affects him, but I don't think it does at all.''
Zook said Jenkins and senior Jarred Fayson have had the fewest number of dropped passes since practice started in August.
Running back Jason Ford also is nursing a finger that he sprained Saturday but should be ready to go this week.
