Illinois Running Back Kicked Off Team

Illinois coach Tim Beckman says sophomore running back Dami Ayoola has been kicked off the team for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Beckman said Tuesday that the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native will no longer be with the team.

A day earlier, Beckman said only that he was working through "a situation'' with Ayoola.

Ayoola was one of Beckman's top signings in his first recruiting class at Illinois. The 5-10, 205-pound Ayoola played in 11 games as a freshman and rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.

He didn't play Saturday as Illinois opened the season with a win over Southern Illinois.