Rutgers Injury Crisis Looms Before Illinois Clash

Illinois (5-3, 2-3) hosts Rutgers (4-4, 1-4) in Champaign on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT/noon ET on NBC/Peacock. The Illini, coached by Bret Bielema and led by QB Luke Altmyer, are coming off losses to Ohio State and Washington, will be without Xavier Scott, Dylan Rosiek and Leon Lowrey Jr., and aim to revive a rushing attack that gained 139 yards at Washington. Rutgers arrived off a 27-24 comeback win at Purdue that snapped a four-game skid but is grappling with a crippling injury crisis — 22 players missed the Purdue game and 12 have been lost for the season. Coach Greg Schiano says the injuries have forced changes to practice and developmental reps and have heightened concern about roster-limit proposals. Rutgers will lean on QB Athan Kaliakmanis, WR K.J. Duff and RB Antwan Raymond as both teams press for a key Big Ten win in a sold-out Gies Memorial Stadium.