Breaking News: Illini LB Jake Hansen Out With Undisclosed Injury
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Illinois junior linebacker Jake Hansen will miss today’s game at Michigan State with an injury. Hansen was named one of 12 semifinalists for the prestigious Butkus Award on Monday.
“We left three players at home. Dominic Stampley, Jake Hansen, and Oluwole Betiku,” Illini head coach Lovie Smith said in pre-game interview. “All those guys hopefully will be ready to go next week but they won’t play today.”
Hansen leads the nation with seven forced fumbles and ranks second in the country with three fumble recoveries. He is the No. 11 graded linebacker in the nation by PFF (81.1) and No. 6 in Power-5.
Hansen had one of his best games in Orange & Blue during the Illini's 24-23 upset over No. 6 Wisconsin that sparked Illinois' current three-game winning streak. He was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after two forced fumbles against the Badgers led Illinois to one of the biggest upsets in Big Ten history.
The Tarpon Springs, Florida, native's season stat line includes 72 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and one interception.