News
In addition to Tyler Starr's disqualification and impending half-game suspension, the Coyotes lost two other starters to season-ending injuries.
Senior offensive lineman Marc Murtha and junior fullback Tom Manning each suffered knee injuries against the Bears.
Murtha, who injured the same knee last season, will be replaced in the lineup by fellow senior Steve Nelson. The two had been splitting time at left guard since training camp - Murtha started the first three games, Nelson the last two - so the transition should be pretty smooth.
At fullback, the Coyotes will turn to talented true freshman Drew Potter. He's appeared in all five games, recording a touchdown catch and two special teams tackles to this point.
Joe Glenn is disappointed for both players, but indicated some real frustration with the circumstances surrounding Manning's injury. Glenn says the film showed clear helmet-to-helmet contact that contributed, at least in part, to his fullback's awkward fall to the turf. No flag was thrown on the play.
Given the situation with Starr, plus the fact that Western Illinois got away with a helmet-to-helmet hit on Coyotes receiver Austin Koch the week before, Glenn's confusion is understandable.
Koch, by the way, suffered a concussion on that play and will miss his second consecutive game on Saturday.