CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters was named a nominee for the prestigious Broyles Award, which is presented to the nation's top assistant coach. Walters has coached his way to become a Broyles Award front runner, as Illinois ranks in the top 10 in the nation in 20 defensive categories.
Walters' unit is led by Bednarik Award semifinalists CB Devon Witherspoon and DT Jer'Zhan Newton. Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists, which lists the top 20 defenders in the nation.
Semifinalists for the Broyles Award are announced Nov. 22 and finalists are announced Nov. 29. The Broyles Award is presented Dec. 6 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Here's a look at the Illinois defense notes:
• Illinois ranks in the top 10 in 20 defensive categories: 1st in interceptions (17), 1st in passing efficiency defense (90.37), 2nd in total defense (246.9), 2nd in touchdowns allowed (13), 2nd in passes defended (69), 2nd in yards per pass attempt (5.3), 3rd in scoring defense (12.5), 3rd in takeaways (23), 4th in third down defense (26.9%), th in rushing touchdowns allowed (5), 4th in passing touchdowns allowed (8), 4th in fewest red zone attempts allowed (21), 5th in passing defense (161.0), 5th in yards per rush (3.0), 5th in third down conversions against (36), 5th in fourth down conversions against (4), 6th in rushing defense (85.9), 6th in first downs allowed (138), 8th in red zone touchdown percentage (42.9%), 10th in tackle for loss yards (305)
• Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists (Newton, Witherspoon).
• Illinois' defense is ranked 4th in the nation by ESPN's SP+ metric and 5th by PFF.
• Illinois has allowed only 17 points in fourth quarters, with 10 coming last week against Purdue.
• Illinois has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in six of 10 games this season.
• Illinois' pass coverage is ranked third in the nation by PFF and its run defense is ranked fourth.
• Illinois had held six straight opponents to 14 points or fewer before the Michigan State loss, the longest streak since 1989.
• Illinois is 7-0 when allowing fewer than 20 points and 0-3 when allowing more than 20 points.
• Illinois has at least one interception in all 10 games this season and has an interception in 13 straight games dating back to last season.
• Eight different Illini have an interception this season.
• Michigan State and Purdue are the only teams to have gained 100+ yards rushing and 100+ yards passing in the same game against Illinois.
• Illinois has allowed only 13 touchdowns on 127 opponent drives.
• During Illinois' seven wins, opponents have a third down conversion rate of 19.8% (18-91).
• 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 held Wisconsin to just two yards rushing, the fewest yards the Badgers have rushed for at home since being held to 12 yards on Nov. 3, 2007, vs. Ohio State.
• Illinois did not allow a touchdown in nonconference play for the first time since 1921 (52-0 vs. South Dakota, 21-0 vs. DePauw), helping Illinois complete its first undefeated nonconference schedule since 2011. It was the first time Illinois played 3+ nonconference games without allowing a TD since 1917 (22-0 vs. Kansas, 44-0 vs. Oklahoma, 28-0 vs. Camp Funston).
• Illinois has allowed 50 passing yards or fewer in three games (30 vs. Wyoming, 49 vs. Chattanooga, 38 vs. Minnesota).
• Kendall Smith and Sydney Brown are tied for 10th in the nation in interceptions (4) and second in the Big Ten. Illinois is the only team in the nation with two players with four interceptions.
• Johnny Newton (46) and Seth Coleman (32) have 78 combined pressures, the most in the Big Ten among teammates, according to PFF.
• Devon Witherspoon and Jartavius Martin have combined for 27 passes defended, tied for the most in the nation among teammates (Virginia's Anthony Johnson and Fentrell Cypress II).
