Defensive tackle Michael Buchanan tallied 7.5 sacks for the Illinois Fighting Illini last season, good for the fourth most in the Big Ten. At the moment, the incoming senior has his jaw wired shut, and new coach Tim Beckman doesn't know how it happened.
A school spokesman said Buchanan suffered a broken jaw in an altercation on Saturday. Buchanan and his wired jaw is expected to see a specialist later in the week. Illinois sports information assistant director Kent Brown said Buchanan should be ready for Illinois' upcoming preseason camp.
Said Beckman (via ESPN Chicago):
"We're still in the process of exactly how it happened," Beckman said.
Buchanan was named second-team all-conference by Big Ten coaches and media a season ago as a junior.
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