Final: No. 18 Northwestern 21, Purdue 14

Key play: Clayton Thorson scrambles for 16-yard gain

Northwestern was in danger of giving the ball back to Purdue with the game tied in the fourth quarter. Facing third-and-14 and out of field goal range, Northwestern needed a big play to keep the drive alive. Clayton Thorson came up with it. The redshirt freshman quarterback scrambled for 16 yards to set up the Wildcats’ go-ahead score. Despite the fact that Thorson was benched earlier in the game, he came up with a clutch play to help Northwestern avoid the upset.

Telling stat: Purdue gets one first down after Markell Jones goes down

The Purdue tailback was huge all afternoon. He had 126 yards from scrimmage with a rushing score and was the most consistent offensive option. Then he went down with a knee injury in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. As a result, the Purdue offense stalled and couldn’t get a late touchdown drive. Purdue wasn’t necessarily going to be running the ball a ton, but his presence was missed in the passing game down the stretch. If there was any proof needed that he was the superior Purdue back, it showed in the fourth quarter.

Worth noting:

–Zack Oliver replaces Thorson…briefly

Pat Fitzgerald joked before this season that he was going to use a three-quarterback system. Well if there was ever a day for it, it was Saturday. Thorson struggled to move the ball throughout the first half, and Fitzgerald brought in Oliver to provide a spark like he did last week against Penn State. That didn’t work out so well. Other than a 37-yard pass to Solomon Vault, it was a day to forget about. Oliver threw a pick and ended his day with three incompletions on his final chance to lead a touchdown drive. As a result, Thorson came back in and led the Wildcats to the go-ahead score. It doesn’t appear that there’s a legitimate quarterback controversy, but the leash obviously isn’t very long for Thorson.

–Paul Griggs misses another field goal

Here’s a stat. When was the last time Griggs made a field goal? How about the Virginia Tech game? It’s been a rough go for the Purdue kicking game this year, and that surfaced again on Saturday. Griggs missed a 43-yarder that would’ve given the Boilers a second-half lead. It spoiled one of Purdue’s best drives of the day, and turned out to be their best chance to put points on the board. The Boilers aren’t good enough to give away points. It might be time for Hazell to make a change.

What it means: Northwestern helps out B1G by avoiding disaster

Had Northwestern lost to Purdue, Iowa and Michigan would not have been too happy. One of their quality wins would’ve basically gone away. There are already too many people that don’t consider Northwestern a quality win. Saturday would’ve legitimized that. So while Fitzgerald’s squad was competing to boost its bowl prospects, it accomplished a common good for the B1G.