Just as beating Illinois during the 2014 season was a sign of possible progress under Darrell Hazell, losing to them in 2015 was a sign of how much Hazell has ultimately failed spectacularly at his job. In 2014 Purdue went to Champaign and ran all over a bad Illinois team. Austin Appleby won his first career start, but Purdue broke big play after big play in winning 38-27. Purdue followed that with narrow losses at home to Michigan State and at Minnesota, but for the most part it looked like the win in Champaign was a turning point.
Know Thy Opponent 2016: Illinois Fighting Illini
