Bret Bielema’s Illinois squad did not look great in Week 11. A big part of that performance was a rash of flags thrown against the Illini.

Entering the game, Illinois had been one of the best defensive units in the country. Unfortunately, the Illini surrendered 31 points while getting upset for a second straight week at home.

Illinois was also penalized 12 times for 121 yards in the game, and 5 of those penalties were defensive pass interference. By contrast, Purdue had 6 penalties total as a team.

After the game, Bielema noted that Illinois as a team had 4 pass interference calls all year entering the game. He also pointed out Illinois never got an answer for one call against Devon Witherspoon that wiped away an interception on an eventual touchdown drive for Purdue.

Bielema also said the Illini knew this officiating crew would call things a certain way.

Regardless of who was calling the game, Illinois struggled to adjust to the calls and the offense of Purdue. Now, the Illini can only try to rebound over the final two weeks of November and hope other results go their way around the B1G West.