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Burned deep

The Illinois coaches and defensive backs hope a change

to an aggressive style will cut the number of big plays allowed. Last season,

the Illinois defense gave up 11 passes of 30 or more yards. Here''s who did

the damage:

97 yards

Southern Cal: Matt Koffler to R. Jay Soward

84 yards

Southern Cal: Brad Otton to Chris Miller

58 yards

Southern Cal: Otton to Miller

53 yards

Northwestern: Steve Schnur to Brian Musso

46 yards

Michigan State: Todd Schultz to Derrick Mason

42 yards

Ohio State: Joe Germaine to Dimitrious Stanley

35 yards

Michigan State: Schultz to Octavius Long

34 yards

Minnesota: Cory Sauter to Ryan Thelwell

30 yards

Indiana: Jay Rodgers to Ajamu Stoner

30 yards

Northwestern: Schnur to D''Wayne Bates

30 yards

Northwestern: Schnur to Adrian Autry

CHAMPAIGN – Trevor Starghill and James Williams can forget about relaxing on Saturday afternoons. Those days are gone for the two Illinois cornerbacks.

For three seasons, they stayed back in their zones, watched the receivers and reacted.

"It had to do more with personnel," Starghill said. "We had all those great linebackers. We used to sit back and watch Sim (Rice) and Kev (Hardy)."

But the new coaching staff brought a different system. The laid-back zone, for the most part, is dead.

Instead, it will be Starghill and Williams taking the opponents' two best receivers man-to-man. There won't be time to watch the linebackers.

"This year, we're aggressive, a lot of times in their face," Williams said. "An attacking defense."

Defensive coordinator Tim Kish will put his two corners "on an island." Translation: They won't get much help from the safeties.

"That's a big key to what we do defensively," Kish said.

Not that the cornerbacks will always be alone. The coaches don't want to be predictable with their coverages. Few cornerbacks could handle one-on-one all the time.

"That wouldn't be wise," secondary coach Leslie Frazier said. "We don't have any Deion Sanders out here. We're going to try to mix it up and get those guys some help."

If Starghill and Williams are able to handle their assignments, it will free the rest of the defense to do more blitzing.

The two players like the new defense.

"I think it's an absolute challenge," Williams said. "If they throw your way, it's either him or you. There's 10 other guys counting on you. You can't let them down."

The new style also should lead to more interceptions for the two cornerbacks. They'll be in better position to make plays.

Last season, the Illini had nine interceptions, 10th in the Big Ten. Starghill and safety Asim Pleas each picked off four passes. Williams had the other one.

The defensive backs also have worked this spring on catching wayward passes. If they drop a ball, they drop to the ground for some pushups.

"If you make a play and don't catch it, they don't say, 'Good job. You were there anyway,' " Williams said. "They're still, 'Catch the ball, finish the play.' "

The price of a dropped pass is going up. Frazier is making the players bear crawl (not a fun activity) after practice for missed interceptions.

Starghill and Williams aren't about to argue with Frazier. The former defensive back led the Chicago Bears in interceptions three consecutive seasons.

"How could you doubt him?" Starghill said.

"He's done everything," Williams said.

And the two cornerbacks are gaining Frazier's respect.

"I've been impressed with their work ethic and the way they're trying to get things accomplished," Frazier said. "They're both seniors, and their leadership is vitally important to us."

They both are slowed this spring by injuries. Starghill missed the first three days of practice with a strained quadriceps muscle. Williams had a sprained ankle.

Starghill and Williams are playing through the pain.

"It's frustrating, but it's better now than during the season," Williams said.

Because of their injuries, the players haven't been able to show the speed Frazier thinks is necessary to have the corners on an island.

"It is of the utmost importance, as well as intelligence," Frazier said. "You've got to be smart about what you're doing."

Despite the injuries, Starghill and Williams have regained their No. 1 spots. Starghill has started 22 consecutive games, Williams the last 11.

But when spring practice opened, they had to fight for their positions. They still do.

"Naturally, their experience gave them an advantage," Frazier said. "At the same time, I wanted to keep an open mind. That's what we've done. No position is sewn up," Frazier said.