Once Jones enrolls, he can practice
At some point, Demetrius Jones seems a safe bet to join Northern Illinois' roster.
But first, the Notre Dame transfer needs to pick up at least 12 hours' worth of classes.
"Once he becomes a full-time student, he can become a part of our football team," Huskies coach Joe Novak said Tuesday afternoon.
If and when the highly touted quarterback joins the Huskies, he'll have to do it as a walk-on.
Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White has elected not to give Jones his release.
"We don't believe that Demetrius' departure was handled appropriately," Notre Dame sports information director John Heisler said on White's behalf.
All that means, essentially, is Jones can't have an NIU scholarship for the 2007-08 school year. But since Novak has all 85 of his scholarships filled, it's more of a symbolic scolding than anything.
Per his usual practice, Novak took his open scholarships and handed them to worthy walk-ons prior to the season. Among others, freshman running back Chad Spann and fifth-year tight end Tom Kelly, a Larkin graduate, benefited from Novak's largesse this year.
"There's no need for me to keep a scholarship," he said. "A situation like this one comes along once in a blue moon."
More pain: If nothing else, Northern Illinois might be leading the nation in season-ending injuries.
Starting defensive tackle Craig Rusch and backup defensive end Anthony Antonacci (Neuqua Valley) suffered knee injuries in Saturday's loss to Eastern Michigan that will sideline them for the rest of the year.
They join starting tailback Montell Clanton, senior nose guard Adam Schroeder and possibly middle linebacker Tim McCarthy on the extensive rehab route.
While nose guard Alex Krutsch moves to tackle to fill Rusch's void, redshirt freshman nose guard Ed Jackson will make his first college start Saturday at Idaho.
The Huskies also shifted junior Dan Keller, a preseason candidate to start on the offensive line, over to nose guard.
Meanwhile, true freshman John Hopkins takes Antonacci's spot behind left end Brandon Bice.
Hopkins joins five classmates on the two-deep: OLB Kyle Skarb (Lake Zurich), WR Landon Cox, TB Chad Spann, DT D.J. Pirkle and KR/CB Patrick George.
Like Wolfe?:ŒNorthern Illinois' injury-riddled defense, which has just one senior on the depth chart, hasn't fared well against the run this year.
The Huskies have allowed 180.3 yards per game, but that number could grow higher after facing Idaho redshirt freshman Deonte Jackson.
The 5-foot-8, 181-pound Arkansas native ranks seventh nationally with 142.0 yards per game. And if you're thinking he built his total against bums, he produced 99 yards against top-ranked Southern California and 113 last week against Washington State.
"I didn't know him until I watched him on tape, but he's outstanding," said NIU coach Joe Novak. "He's not a real big kid, but he's a physical kid, sort of like Garrett Wolfe."