Illinois Football: 5 stats that show why the Illini are ranked in the AP Top 25

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is sacked by Illinois linebacker Ezekiel Holmes (33) on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinUsat Wisconsin Vs Illinois Football 100122 660 Ttm
Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) is sacked by Illinois linebacker Ezekiel Holmes (33) on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-WisconsinUsat Wisconsin Vs Illinois Football 100122 660 Ttm /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Illinois football
CHAMPAIGN, IL – SEPTEMBER 22: Jer’Zhan Newton #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini lays a hit on Preston Hutchinson #9 of the Chattanooga Mocs during the game at Memorial Stadium on September 22, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

4. 67.4 yards

As mentioned on the previous slide, Illinois’ defense has done an amazing job keeping opposing offenses out of the end zone. A big reason for the ability to keep teams from scoring is the fact we can stop their running attack.

Not in a million years did I think Illinois would be great at stopping the run in the 2020s. We have been so far from being an average run-stopping team, let alone a good one.

In 2017, the Illini gave up 218.5 yards per game on the ground, which ranked No. 113 in the nation. In the four seasons prior to Bret Bielema taking the reins, the best Illinois finished in run defense was in 2019. We gave up 196.5 yards per game on the ground that year, which ranked No. 99 in the country.

Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters took over the defensive duties with Bielema in charge, and Illinois’ defense has improved tremendously. Illinois went from giving up 230.1 yards per game on the ground in 2020 to just 151.4 yards per game on the ground in 2021. We jumped from No. 117 in the nation to No. 57.

This season has been different, though. Illinois’ rush defense has taken another step forward. Illinois is currently giving up just 67.4 yards per game on the ground, which ranks No. 3 in the nation. This great run defense has been a huge reason Illinois has started the season 5-1.

I have to give Illinois’ defensive line a ton of credit for the run-stopping abilities. Calvin Avery has developed into a really good nose tackle. He clogs up the center of that defensive line. Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph Jr. have been menaces on the outside of the 3-4 defense as well.

These three linemen are staples in this dominating Illinois defense. I can’t wait to see how we finish the rest of the season. If this type of defense continues, it wouldn’t shock me to see Illinois in Indianapolis on December 3.