CHAMPAIGN — The ideal time for Illinois football's open week in Lovie Smith's estimation would happen during the middle of the season. After four weeks, though, isn't bad, either. That's particularly true when it comes to affording players — especially those recovering from injuries — time to get their bodies right.
Like AJ Bush Jr.
The graduate transfer quarterback missed the last two Illinois games and most of a third with a hamstring injury he sustained in the first quarter against Western Illinois on Sept. 8. If he returns Oct. 6 for the Illini's 11 a.m. kickoff at Rutgers, nearly a month between games will have passed for Bush.