CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters was named one of five finalists for the prestigious Broyles Award, announced Monday by the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. The award is presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
Illinois ranked in the top 10 in the nation in 17 major defensive categories during the regular season, including leading the nation in interceptions (22), ranking second in scoring defense (12.3), and third in total defense (263.8). Walters' unit is led by Bednarik Award semifinalists CB Devon Witherspoon and DT Jer'Zhan Newton, as Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists, which lists the top 20 defenders in the nation.
The Broyles Award is presented Dec. 6 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Finalists include Walters, Todd Monken (Georgia OC/QBs), Jesse Minter (Michigan DC), Garrett Riley (TCU OC/QBs), and Alex Golesh (Tennessee OC/TEs).
Here's a look at the Illinois defense notes:
• 1st in the nation in interceptions (22)
• 1st in the nation in passing efficiency defense (89.8)
• 1st in the nation in passing touchdowns allowed (8)
• 1st in the nation in yards per pass attempt (5.4)
• 2nd in the nation in touchdowns allowed (14)
• 2nd in the nation in scoring defense (12.3)
• 2nd in the nation in red zone touchdown percentage (37.0%)
• 2nd in the nation in takeaways (29)
• 3rd in the nation in total defense (263.8)
• 3rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed (6)
• 3rd in the nation in passes defended (82)
• 5th in the nation in passing defense (165.4)
• 6th in the nation in third down defense (29.0%)
• 7th in the nation in fewest red zone attempts allowed (27)
• 7th in the nation in fewest first downs allowed (177)
• 8th in the nation in rushing defense (98.4)
• 10th in the nation in third down conversions against (49)
• Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists (Newton, Witherspoon).
• Illinois' defense is ranked third in the nation by ESPN's SP+ metric and second in the nation by PFF.
• Illinois' pass coverage is ranked third in the nation by PFF and its run defense is ranked fourth.
• Illinois has allowed only 29 points in fourth quarters (2.4 per game).
• Illinois has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in six of 12 games this season.
• Illinois allowed 11.9 points per game at home this season, its best mark at Memorial Stadium since the 1983 Big Ten championship team allowed 9.4 per game.
• Illinois has allowed only 14 touchdowns on 150 opponent drives (9.3%).
• Illinois had held six straight opponents to 14 points or fewer before the Michigan State game, the longest streak since 1989.
Illinois ranked in the top 10 in the nation in 17 major defensive categories during the regular season, including leading the nation in interceptions (22), ranking second in scoring defense (12.3), and third in total defense (263.8). Walters' unit is led by Bednarik Award semifinalists CB Devon Witherspoon and DT Jer'Zhan Newton, as Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists, which lists the top 20 defenders in the nation.
The Broyles Award is presented Dec. 6 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Finalists include Walters, Todd Monken (Georgia OC/QBs), Jesse Minter (Michigan DC), Garrett Riley (TCU OC/QBs), and Alex Golesh (Tennessee OC/TEs).
Here's a look at the Illinois defense notes:
• 1st in the nation in interceptions (22)
• 1st in the nation in passing efficiency defense (89.8)
• 1st in the nation in passing touchdowns allowed (8)
• 1st in the nation in yards per pass attempt (5.4)
• 2nd in the nation in touchdowns allowed (14)
• 2nd in the nation in scoring defense (12.3)
• 2nd in the nation in red zone touchdown percentage (37.0%)
• 2nd in the nation in takeaways (29)
• 3rd in the nation in total defense (263.8)
• 3rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns allowed (6)
• 3rd in the nation in passes defended (82)
• 5th in the nation in passing defense (165.4)
• 6th in the nation in third down defense (29.0%)
• 7th in the nation in fewest red zone attempts allowed (27)
• 7th in the nation in fewest first downs allowed (177)
• 8th in the nation in rushing defense (98.4)
• 10th in the nation in third down conversions against (49)
• Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists (Newton, Witherspoon).
• Illinois' defense is ranked third in the nation by ESPN's SP+ metric and second in the nation by PFF.
• Illinois' pass coverage is ranked third in the nation by PFF and its run defense is ranked fourth.
• Illinois has allowed only 29 points in fourth quarters (2.4 per game).
• Illinois has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in six of 12 games this season.
• Illinois allowed 11.9 points per game at home this season, its best mark at Memorial Stadium since the 1983 Big Ten championship team allowed 9.4 per game.
• Illinois has allowed only 14 touchdowns on 150 opponent drives (9.3%).
• Illinois had held six straight opponents to 14 points or fewer before the Michigan State game, the longest streak since 1989.
