Well, it's a weird day to be an Illini fan. They will play FDU tonight without Shannon. Before the game, at 6pm, AD Josh Whitman will address the Shannon situation.
What I know for sure thus far:
- It happened in September, while Illinois was at Kansas for football
- Shannon has been cooperating with the investigation since it started in September
- Charges were formally brought by the Kansas assistant DA on Thursday, which by U of I policy triggered the automatic suspension. Shannon went to Lawrence for arraignment immediately upon the charges being filed.
- He is maintaining his innocence and wants to take it to trial to prove innocence rather than try to set up a plea deal.
- Not sure how long he'll be suspended for, as I imagine this won't go to trial quickly. There are potential avenues to him playing again until the trial takes place, but it's up to Whitman and the college at this point.