
Illinois football coach Lovie Smith said Monday the team has had no new positive COVID-19 tests among players after two infected players missed Saturday’s game against Purdue.A staff member also previously tested positive, according to a team spokesman. The staffer, who was not identified, is not a coach.Twelve other players had to sit out the 31-24 loss to Purdue, with seven of them quarantined because of contact tracing.“With the amount of guys (out), you only have so many players,” Smith said in a video call with reporters. “We can’t afford any others. We can’t afford to have another group …