The Illini were 3 - 5 in the Big Ten , finishing fifth in the West Division .
The Illini gained bowl eligibility with wins over Penn State ( 16 - 14 ) and at Northwestern ( 47 - 33 ) .
The Illini were 3 - 5 in the Big Ten , finishing fifth in the West Division , and gained bowl eligibility with wins over Penn State ( 16 - 14 ) and at Northwestern ( 47 - 33 ) .