CHICAGO — The University of Illinois rewarded Ron Zook for his football team’s 5-and-2 start by extending his contract and giving him a healthy raise.

Board trustees have agreed to pay the third-year coach $1.3 million a year. That’s a $300,000 raise. And if Illinois goes to a bowl game, Zook’s salary goes up to $1.5 million.

The deal also extends Zook’s contract by three years, through January 2013.

Illinois won a combined four games in Zook’s first two seasons in Champaign-Urbana.

This year, the Illini have beaten Big Ten foes Penn State and Wisconsin.

Illinois takes on Michigan at home on Saturday.