CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters was selected as one of 15 semifinalists for the prestigious Broyles Award, announced Monday by the Frank & Barbara Broyles Foundation. Walters has coached his way to become a Broyles Award front runner, as Illinois ranks in the top 10 in the nation in 17 major defensive categories. The award is presented annually to the nation's top assistant coach.  

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. 

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 17 major defensive categories: 1st in passing efficiency defense(91.8), 2nd in interceptions (17), 2nd in total defense (258.6), 2nd in touchdowns allowed (14),3rd in scoring defense (13.1), 3rd in rushing touchdowns allowed (6), 3rd in passing touchdowns allowed (8), 3rd in passes defended (74), 3rd in yards per pass attempt (5.4), 4th in red zone touchdown percentage (40.0%), 6th in takeaways (24), 6th in third down defense (28.1%), 6th in fewest first downs allowed (155), 7th in passing defense (165.3), 7th in rushing defense (93.4),9th in fewest red zone attempts allowed (25), 9th in third down conversions against (43)

• Illinois and Alabama are the only teams with two Bednarik semifinalists (Newton, Witherspoon).

• Illinois' defense is ranked 3rd in the nation by ESPN's SP+ metric and 5th by PFF.

• Illinois has allowed only 26 points in fourth quarters, with 19 coming in the last two weeks (10 vs. Purdue, 9 at Michigan).

• Illinois has allowed fewer than 100 yards rushing in six of 11 games this season.

• Illinois' pass coverage is ranked third in the nation by PFF and its run defense is ranked seventh.

• 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 19 points and 0-4 when allowing 19 points or more.

• Last week against Michigan, Illinois snapped a streak of 13 straight games with an interception, which was the longest active streak in the nation.

• Eight different Illini have an interception this season.

• Illinois has allowed only 14 touchdowns on 138 opponent drives (10.1%).

• 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 is outscoring opponents 112-53 in the second half this season.

• 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 12th 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.

• Illinois and Kansas State are the only teams in the nation with three players with 3+ INTs.

• Johnny Newton (50) and Seth Coleman (33) have 83 combined pressures, the most in the Big Ten among teammates, according to PFF.

• Devon Witherspoon and Jartavius Martin have combined for 29 passes defended, the most in the nation among Power-5 teammates.

• Jartavius Martin has the top tackling grade in the Big Ten among cornerbacks and the No. 2 grade in the nation.