Further, Blacknall and Bowen were both Academic All-Big Ten this fall. They obviously did something stupid, not related to class. Hopefully they learn from this because both have a chance to be major contributors in 2017.
I think the impact on this game might be being overstated just a tad. Blacknall has emerged as a big-play threat, no doubt, but he also ranked sixth on the team in receptions this season and has two young 4-star talents behind him in Irvin Charles and Juwan Johnson. Bowen could prove to be the bigger loss if Koa Farmer's warts show playing a full complement of snaps and/or a linebacker gets injured.
Regardless, this is a team that was without seven defensive starters and playing a walk-on from the wrestling team at one point, and one that is also down its top three offensive tackles; no one's going to start making excuses now.