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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