Coach Tim Beckman caught chewing tobacco on sidelines
BY HERB GOULD hgould@suntimes.com October 6, 2012 8:42PM
Updated: November 8, 2012 12:21PM
MADISON, Wis. — As if he doesn’t have enough troubles, coach Tim Beckman was caught on camera using chewing tobacco during Illinois’ 31-14 loss at Wisconsin Saturday.
‘‘That’s a bad habit of mine,’’ said Beckman, who seemed to know he’d be asked about the photos that popped up on the USA Today website. ‘‘I apologize for that. I guess it’s the stress, but there’s no excuse for that and that’ll be stopped. It shouldn’t have been done.’’
All tobacco products are banned by the NCAA, but it’s not clear what penalties, if any, Beckman faces.
Hawthorne OK
Senior cornerback Terry Hawthorne apparently was not injured seriously despite being taken off the field in an ambulance after he got drilled tackling Badger fullback Derek Watt on a third-quarter pass play.
‘‘Great news for Terry,’’ Beckman said. ‘‘The CT scan was negative. He will be on the flight home with us.’’
Hawthorne received a 15-yard penalty on the play.
‘‘The officials said they thought it was a defenseless player,’’ Beckman said. ‘‘That’s what they called it. It was one of those hits that could possibly look like a blow to the head.’’
Quick counts
Illinois welcomed back linebacker Jonathan Brown (ankle), offensive tackle Hugh Thornton (knee) and receiver Darius Millines (shoulder). But defensive end Tim Kynard (ankle) was on crutches after the game. Safety Supo Sanni (shoulder) did not play.
◆ Illinois is 1-6-1 in seven trips to Wisconsin since 1993.
◆ Wisconsin, which is 43-3 at home in Bret Bielema’s seven seasons, has won 20 straight at Camp Randall, the nation’s second-longest active home winning streak.
