Final Score: Purdue 32 Northwestern 14

Brief Recap:  The Boilermakers were just a little too much to handle for the Wildcats today at historic Wrigley Field. QB Aidan O’Connell was 29-0f-39 for a 74% completion rate, for 423 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Milton Wright III was the best player on the day as he had 8 receptions for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR David Bell was no slouch today either, totaling 12 receptions with 101 yards receiving. 

On Northwestern side of the ball, they had both QBs split time again. QB Andrew Marty was 10-0f-14 for a 71% completion rate throwing for 91 yards and a touchdown. QB Ryan Hilinski was 8-0f-11 for 66 yards, for a 72% completion rate and an interception. RB Evan Hull had 25 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown on the day.

Key Player: Wright III had 8 receptions for 213 yards and 3 touchdowns. There was no answer from the Northwestern secondary. He continually caught touchdown passes at key times, leading the Boilers to their seventh win. 

Key Moment:  Wright III scored a 45-yard touchdown in the 2nd half to make the score 26-14. It was Wright’s third touchdown on the day. Northwestern was never able to claw its way back into the game.

Key Stat:  423 yards passing. Purdue did whatever it wanted through the air, also accounting for 3 touchdowns. Northwestern’s secondary got torched and was not able to stop the air raid offense of the Boilermakers.

What it means for Purdue:  The Boilermakers are now 7-4 on the season and have a chance to have the best year under head coach Jeff Brohm with an 8-4 record in sight. They play host to Indiana next week for the Old Oaken Bucket.

What it means for Northwestern:  Northwestern now falls to 3-8. The Wildcats are just hoping to end the year on a positive note with a win over in-state rival Illinois to close out the season. Much like 2019, it would be the highest point for an otherwise disappointing season.