Penn State defense decimated

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Penn State's defense looks like the walking wounded.

Injuries forced five Nittany Lions to leave Saturday's 33-13 homecoming loss to Illinois at Beaver Stadium. And that was hours after it was learned that three starters - defensive end Jack Crawford (sprained foot) and linebackers Michael Mauti (ankle) and Bani Gbadyu (ankle and knee) - would not play.

"I can't figure out why we're getting so many kids bumped," Penn State coach Joe Paterno said. "But we're getting them bumped. You've got to live with that."

Eric Latimore, who started in place of Crawford, suffered a wrist injury on Saturday's first play from scrimmage. Free safety Nick Sukay (pectoral muscle), reserve hero safety Andrew Dailey (stinger), defensive end Peter Massaro (dehydration and quadriceps), and reserve defensive end Jordan Hill (ankle) suffered game-ending injuries.

"Every time we would see one of our teammates down on the ground, we would hang our heads like, 'Dang! Not again,' " cornerback Stephon Morris said. "It's just tough right now."

Reserve linebacker Gerald Hodges also missed Saturday's game, with a leg injury.

"We have to overcome it," Morris said. "This is Penn State. One person goes down, the next person has to step up."

Middle linebacker Chris Colasanti agreed. The senior played in his second consecutive game with a broken hand.

"Injuries are part of the game," said Colasanti, who finished with a career-high 18 tackles. "It's understandable. Those guys are going to be missed. But other guys are going to be called in and have to step up."

True freshman Khairi Fortt (11 tackles) started in place of Gbadyu, while redshirt junior Nate Stupar (nine) substituted for Mauti.

In all, Penn State had 14 players who left Saturday's game or didn't play because of injuries. The others were wideout Curtis Drake (leg), running back Brandon Beachum (knee), offensive tackle Lou Eliades (knee), and tight ends Garry Gilliam (knee) and Andrew Szczerba (back).

Evan Royster rushed for 35 yards to move into third place on Penn State's career list with 3,306. He trails Curt Warner (3,398) and Tony Hunt (3,320).

Defensive end Sean Stanley and cornerback Derrick Thomas missed their second consecutive games with unspecified suspensions.