 The game was tight throughout with Ohio State escaping with a 24–20 victory.At 5–6 and going into the final game of the season against Illinois the Wildcats were determined not to repeat the 2014 season and miss the chance to go to a bowl by losing to the rival Illini.In 2016, they succeeded by rolling the Illini 42–21 in a game that was more lopsided than the final score indicated.