Illinois football’s defense has been atrocious all season, including Saturday against Maryland. The Terps offense racked up 712 yards in a 63-33 win, its most in a game since 1982, and their 63 points were their most ever in a conference game and most against an FBS opponent since 1954.
The loss was the last game for Illinois defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson, who resigned after the loss. He informed head coach Lovie Smith of his resignation Sunday, and the team announced it Monday. Nickerson had been the defensive coordinator since March 2016, struggling to get the team’s defense off the ground during his brief tenure.