Illinois Football: 4 observations from the Illini win over Minnesota

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Nov 6, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (2) is brought down by Illinois Fighting Illini defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton (94) and linebacker Isaiah Gay (92) for a loss in the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Again, give Ryan Walters a blank check

For the past seven or eight weeks, I have mentioned something to the effect of giving defensive coordinator Ryan Walters a blank check. We need to keep him in Champaign for the rest of time.

It has been a long time since I have seen this type of defense from the Orange and Blue. We are swarming to the ball, we don’t give up big plays, and most importantly, we don’t give up points.

Illinois gave up a total of six points on the road to the No. 20 team in the nation on Saturday. On paper, this was the best defensive performance of the season. But this type of performance is starting to become a trend for the Illini.

For the 2021 campaign, Illinois is now only giving up 21.6 points per game, which ranks No. 29 in the nation. That is an incredible number considering Bret Bielema was only able to add a couple of players this offseason, and one of the players, Calvin Hart, is out for the season.

While 21.6 points per game given up is a really good number, I can top that. In the past seven games, Illinois is only giving up 16.4 points per game. In Big Ten play, the Illini are only surrendering 17.5 points per game. I can honestly say, I don’t remember an Illinois defense this dominant in conference play.

Walters needs to be with the Illini as long as money matters. I think he is a future superstar head coach, but let’s try to keep him here so we can keep winning games.

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