Illini got defense in order
Turnaround came after dropping to 2-4
SAN FRANCISCO — The sign in Illinois’ defensive meeting room hasn’t come down since the new Smith Center training facility opened in the fall. It reads “128.”
That was the Illini defense’s ranking last year — out of 130 FBS teams — after allowing 508.4 yards per game. Illinois was seventh-worst in scoring defense at 39.4 points per game.
“It’s been documented how bad we were the year before,” coach Lovie Smith. “We didn’t run from that. Sometimes you’re so bad it puts (things in) a focus.”
So Smith focused on turning the unit around. And eventually, it worked.
The Illini defense this season ranks 80th nationally and is a big reason Illinois is making its first bowl appearance since 2014. The Illini (6-6) face California (7-5) in the Redbox Bowl on Monday in Santa Clara, Calif.
Illinois ranks third nationally with 28 takeaways: 16 fumble recoveries and 12 interceptions, four of which were returned for touchdowns to rank second in that category. Its 25.4 points allowed per game rank 51st in the nation.
“It was a group effort,” said linebacker Dele Harding, who is second nationally with 147 tackles and has three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
But it looked as if Illinois was headed for another losing season. The Illini dropped four straight to fall to 2-4, allowing 39.5 points per game. In the six games since, including losses to Iowa and Northwestern to end the season, the Illini cut that nearly in half, giving up only 20.2 points per game.
Signature wins against Wisconsin and Michigan State featured key defensive plays.
Linebacker Jake Hansen forced two fumbles that led to touchdowns in a 24-23 upset of the then-No. 8 Badgers on Oct. 19. In a 25-point comeback victory against Michigan State on Nov. 9, safety 3 p.m. FOX-32
Sydney Brown returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown. It was one of four turnovers in the 37-34 victory that made Illinois bowl-eligible.
“We don’t believe it’s a good defensive game unless you take the ball away,” said Smith, who took over defensive coordinator duties this season. “You can’t wait for a turnover.”
The former coach of the NFL’s Bears has a reputation of building strong defenses. He plans to continue coaching the defense next season.
“Every year I’ve coached, I’ve liked it and I’ve been involved,” Smith said earlier in the season. “I don’t plan on making any changes. There’s a reason you become a head coach. You have an expertise … on one side of the ball. Why quit doing it?”
During a 25-point rally in a loss to Michigan, Harding said the defense found its identity.
“It followed into next week’s game (against Wisconsin),” he said. “We hit the ground running.”
For Cal’s Justin Wilcox, facing another defensiveminded coach adds an exciting element to the bowl. As a young coach, he studied Smith’s defenses.
“He’s just got a super reputation,” Wilcox said. “He’s an excellent coach. We had a media event, and I got to spend part of the day with him. I probably bothered him —I was asking so many questions. But it was really cool for me to be able to alk with him.”
Cal has also made defense its calling card under Wilcox, who was Wisconsin’s defensive coordinator in 2016. The Bears rank 34th in scoring defense, allowing 22.9 points per game. Linebacker Evan Weaver leads the nation with 173 tackles, and the Bears rank 26th in rushing defense at 123.1 yards per game.
“Possessions,” Wilcox said, “will be at a premium in this game.”