Illinois All-Big Ten First Team defensive back Xavier Scott is unlikely to play against Indiana on Saturday according to head coach Bret Bielema.
The star cornerback suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of Illinois’ 38-0 win over Western Michigan last weekend.
“He had a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. He’s got another one, he’ll get a second opinion on where he’s at with things,” Bielema said on Thursday. “I don’t know whether he’ll be back for Saturday or when it’s going to be in the season, but right now, no [for Indiana].”
The 5-foot-11 Scott primarily covers the slot receiver, but also plays some boundary corner.
Scott was a 2024 semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as one of the top 15 defensive backs in college football.
Scott started all 13 games at cornerback for Illinois in 2024, helping Illinois to tie the program record for wins in a season (10) with a victory in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl over No. 14 South Carolina. He was an All-Big Ten First Team selection by the media following the regular season and earned Phil Steele All-America honorable mention honors.
In four seasons in Champaign, Scott has played in 39 games with 28 starts and has totaled six interceptions, three forced fumbles, 127 tackles, and 26 passes defended (20 pass breakups).
He tied for second in the Big Ten with a career-best four interceptions in 2024, including one returned for a touchdown against Kansas. In addition to ranking second in the Big Ten in interceptions (4), Scott ranked in the top five among Big Ten cornerbacks in snaps (1st, 792), PFF grade (3rd, 82.3), and PFF tackling grade (4th, 85.1).
No. 8/9 Illinois (3-0) and No. 17/19 Indiana (3-0) kick at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington (NBC).
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
– Join our Premium Discord Chat by GOING HERE.
- You can follow us on X: @daily_hoosier and find us on Facebook and Instagram
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
