Despite head coach Bret Bielema’s best efforts, the Illini will be without their top player for the first half of Saturday’s matchup against Minnesota.
Johnny Newton’s targeting penalty that was called after a hit on quarterback Braedyn Locke in the fourth quarter of the loss to Wisconsin was upheld after Bielema went through a formal appeals process.
“Once it appeals, the Big Ten supported it,” Bielema said. “Then, they sent it on to the NCAA and the NCAA supported it and that was the final appeals process.”
Highest graded College Football player from Week 8:
Jer’Zhan Newton: 95.