The defense rests

Challenger takes a big early lead

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The Illini gave up 372 points last season, the

most scored against Illinois since Jim Valek''s winless 1969 team allowed

397.

Southern Cal scored 55 points in a nationally televised

game in September, the most since Michigan had 69 against Illinois in 1986.

Illinois held only one team, Akron, under 20 points.

You have to go back to the winless 1961 team to find a similar season.

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News-Gazette photo by Robin Scholz

New University of

Illinois defensive coordinator Tim Kish conducts a practice drill. The former

Northwestern outside line-

backers coach has

spent seven seasons working in the Big Ten, five with the Wildcats and two

with Purdue.

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New Illinois defensive coordinator Tim Kish is trying to improve a defense that ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten in most categories last season. Here''s where the Illini finished, along with Kish''s old team, Northwestern:
RUSHING DEFENSE
Team	Yards Allowed	Average
1. Ohio State	1,149	95.8
5. Northwestern	1,671	139.2
10. Illinois	2,342	212.9
PASS EFFICIENCY DEFENSE
Team		Ranking
1. Ohio State		83.8 points
9. Northwestern		126.8 points
10. Illinois		135.8 points
TOTAL DEFENSE
Team	Yards Allowed	TDs	Average
1. Ohio State	2,952	14	246
6. Northwestern	4,166	32	347.2
10. Illinois	4,477	43	407
SCORING DEFENSE
Team	Points	Average
1. Ohio State	131	10.9
6. Northwestern	278	23.2
11. Illinois	372	33.8
TURNOVER MARGIN
Team	Takeaways	Giveaways	Margin
1. Ohio State	31	16	+1.25
5. Northwestern	30	25	+.42
10. Illinois	20	29	-.82

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