Illinois LB suspended for hit

Published Oct. 3, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

No. 19 Illinois has suspended sophomore linebacker Jonathan Brown for Saturday's game at Indiana after he appeared to intentionally knee a Northwestern player during the Illini's victory over the weekend.

Coach Ron Zook says the team is ''extremely disappointed'' in Brown's actions. He says Brown got caught up in the moment and made a mistake.

Brown, who was flagged twice for unsportsmanlike conduct during the game, issued an apology Monday to Northwestern, his teammates and fans.

He is tied for second on the team with 30 tackles. Earlier this season, Brown was named Big Ten defensive player of the week after making seven tackles and 1.5 sacks in beating then-No. 22 Arizona State. He also had an interception and forced another.