Juco receiver not in UI plans

RANTOUL – Connie Moore's stay at the University of Illinois didn't last long.

Illinois football coach Ron Turner dismissed Moore from the team Sunday for "conduct detrimental to the team." Turner wouldn't give details of the off-field incident.

"We move on and move the next guy up," Turner said after this morning's practice.

On Saturday, Turner was ready to move on with the junior college All-American as one of his starting receivers. After a scrimmage at Rantoul High School, Turner mentioned Moore as one of the team's new playmakers.

"He was on the team then," Turner said. "He's not on the team anymore, so let's talk about who's on the team."

Moore has left the team's training camp at the Fanmarker Inn.

"He's gone and he's out of here," Turner said. "Where he is, what he does ... I'm focusing on the guys that are right here."

Defensive back Bobie Singleton has also been dismissed from camp and will be suspended for a time to be determined. Turner said Singleton is still on the team.

With Moore gone, Terrance Smalls returns to one starting receiver spot. Smalls had missed several practices because of a leg injury.

Two other junior college receivers, Larry Davis and William Loyd, are fighting for positions.

"We've got enough guys to make plays," Turner said.

Offensive coordinator and receivers coach Buddy Teevens said Moore's dismissal means more time on the field for the remaining players. He said he isn't worried about what the loss of Moore will do to the position.

"We just worry about the guys we have on the field," Teevens said. "We have enough talent at that position to have success."

As a sophomore at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Moore caught 55 passes for 882 yards and eight touchdowns.

Comments

Add a Comment