Outside linebacker Matt Sinclair had a season-high 13 tackles for Illinois in last weekend’s victory over Western Michigan. Last season, when Sinclair played middle linebacker, he led the Big Ten in tackles during conference games. This season he is the team leader with 29 in three games.
What’s different about outside linebacker?
“My body feels a lot better on Sunday mornings,” said Sinclair, who had six solo tackles and seven assists Saturday. . . .
Two redshirt freshmen, left guard Martin O’Donnell and linebacker Anthony Thornhill, started the Western Michigan game and will make their Big Ten debuts Saturday against Purdue.
True freshman Xavier Fulton, a 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound defensive lineman from Homewood-Flossmoor, made his collegiate debut against Western Michigan. “He has a chance to be a great player,” coach Ron Turner said.
– Next: Saturday vs. Purdue, 11 a.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
