CHAMPAIGN, IL. — “We’re not going to apologize for being 2-4 and making a run,” Illinois head coach Lovie Smith said at Illinois’ bowl press conference on Sunday evening. “We are going to be excited for where we are now.”
The Illini will travel to Santa Clara, California to take on the California Golden Bears in a Redbox Bowl matchup on Dec. 30 at Levi Stadium.
The 6-6 Illini are one of nine Big Ten teams that finished the season bowl eligible — and for the first time since 2014 the Illini will represent the Big Ten in a bowl game.