Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer was named one of four Big Ten players of the week after the finest performance of his career in Saturday’s 31-24 loss to California. The senior, who transferred from Iowa in 2001, completed 35-of-57 passes, both career highs, and threw for three touchdowns in amassing a Memorial Stadium-record 430 passing yards. He also took some punishment: California sacked him five times. “I was pretty sore when I woke up Sunday,” Beutjer said. . . .
Fullback Carey Davis, sidelined for three games with a staph infection that is a complication from arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 25, is scheduled to resume practicing Wednesday. “He’s a possibility in a limited role” for Saturday’s Big Ten opener against Wisconsin, said coach Ron Turner.
