West Lafayette, IN – Purdue kept playing for four quarters and never gave up even when the momentum swayed towards Illinois. The only touchdown of the game was scored in fourth quarter by TJ Sheffield with 14 yard catch for lead, Purdue 13 – Illinois 9.
Both teams defense came ready to play bending but not breaking. They scored five field goals in the battle back and forth. I know Illinois will not be taking moral victories but their defense put pressure on the Boilermakers throughout most of the game.
Marvin Grant was all over the field recording six solo tackles and countless pressure all game. Purdue defense recorded nine tackles for loss in the game with two critical sacks.
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters threw for only 100 yards on the day never getting the opportunity to get comfortable in the pocket.
Meanwhile the duo of Aidan O’Connell and Jack Plummer were able to throw for a combined 277 yards with the final touchdown. Receiver Milton Wright led all receivers with seven catches for 88 yards total.
“We just felt like because we became one-dimensional, we think Aidan is our most accurate thrower and that’s not a knock on Jack,” Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said. “He stands in there. he’s poised, he played to the end and he helped us find a way to win.”
Illinois had some success on the ground led by Joshua McCray with carried the ball 24 times for 156 yards rushing with a long of 38 yards.
When you look at game time adjustments coach Brohm quarterback switch in the 3rd quarter payed off big in the end.
Illinois now has to push through to try to get a victory again after losing four in a row after opening victory over the cornhuskers.
This week Purdue will have to see who will lead them out the tunnel next week as the starting quarterback when they host Minnesota on Oct 2, at high noon.
