Academics will cost Illinois two players on the offensive side of the ball for their bowl game at the end of the month, the school announced Friday.
In a press release, the Illini confirmed that senior running back Jason Ford and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jake Kumerow are academically ineligible and will not play in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Dec. 31 against UCLA. As a result of this disciplinary action, Ford has played his last game for the Illini.
The loss of Ford is a particularly significant blow for the Illini. The senior led the team with 600 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, and finishes his career second behind Howard Griffith (31) on the school’s all-time list 26 rushing touchdowns.
Kumerow played in seven games in 2011 and had three catches for 15 yards on the season.