The Sidelines : Injured Ill. Tackle to Miss Finale

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois All-American nose tackle Moe Gardner broke his right forearm and will miss the season finale against Northwestern, an Illinois trainer said.

The senior--one of four finalists for the Lombardi Trophy, given annually to the best defensive lineman in the country--broke the arm in Saturday’s 24-10 victory over Indiana.

“I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it was late in the game,” Gardner said. “It was bothering me then, but I wasn’t quite sure whether or not it was broken. But when I woke up (Sunday), it hurt pretty bad. I knew something was wrong.”

Gardner will be in a cast for three weeks. Trainer Al Martindale said Gardner could be ready for the Hall of Fame Bowl on Jan. 1.