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Including the last one that knocked him out for the season, David Blough had been hit at least four times this year by shots that appeared to meet the standard for targeting.

The first was on the double-reverse flea flicker against Ohio in Week 2, when Blough hung in to deliver to Cole Herdman and was rocked just before his throw. The second was against Minnesota, when Blough rolled and found Herdman for a 20-yard touchdown, being hit a moment later. The third was on the last play vs. Nebraska, when he found Anthony Mahoungou on a desperation last-second play, with Mahoungou then lateraling to D.J. Knox before the running back went out of bounds as time expired. And the fourth was Saturday, when Blough kept on the zone-read and was hit by Stanley Green and Bobby Roundtree. The play resulted in Blough’s dislocated right ankle, which will require surgery Tuesday that will put him out at least six months.

No flags were thrown on the first three, but they were on the fourth. However, after a review, the replay official ruled that neither Green, nor Roundtree, had targeted Blough.

“I didn't get a good explanation,” Brohm said at his weekly press conference Monday. “The replay officials replayed it. For whatever reason, (he) said it wasn't targeting. I don't agree with that. I haven't gotten confirmation yet, got back with the head of the officials (at the Big Ten).

“I can't argue any calls. Whatever they say goes. But without question, I think it is important to protect quarterbacks throughout the league, make sure that we're getting those calls right.”

But it’s not happened this season for Blough, for whatever reason. The QB did draw a late hit personal foul against the Golden Gophers. Brohm said that the Big Ten has confirmed “some late hits that should have been called,” including the one at the end of the Nebraska game. Had officials called a roughing — or targeting — on that play, then Purdue could have, in theory, attempted a game-winning 46-yard field goal with no time on the clock. On the previous play, Bough had hit Mahoungou who found Knox who got to the 44-yard-line of Nebraska. A 15-yard penalty would have driven the ball down to the 29 for an untimed down.

But it didn’t happen, just one of a few non-calls.

“Why they haven't (been called), I don't know the exact reason,” Brohm said.

“Like I said, I think it's just important in general that you protect the quarterbacks, that you get those calls right. There are multiple officials out there, too, in the back that should have their eyes there (on the QB).

“We can't control what's called. But we want it called fair. Without question I think that David has taken some unnecessary shots.”

Brohm hopes to be able to get two of his key defensive starters back for Northwestern.

Linebacker T.J. McCollum, who has been out since the Oct. 7 game vs. Minnesota with an ankle injury, could potentially return. Considering McCollum had been one of Purdue’s best defensive players before the injury — it happen when the senior had his leg wrenched under a couple Gophers on the last play of the game — it’d be a boost.

“I'm hopeful that he will (be back),” Brohm said. “But I've been hopeful a couple weeks before, so I'm not for sure.”

While Purdue has waited for his return, it has used a combination of senior Garrett Hudson and freshman Derrick Barnes as a replacement.

Brohm’s hopeful for the return of Da’Wan Hunte, as well. The senior cornerback missed the Illinois game — he had been a game-time decision — with a hip flexor after he was forced out at halftime vs. Nebraska the week before.

“Da'Wan I think was close to being able to go, but wasn't able to pull it off,” Brohm said. “I would be hopeful he could go, but we'll tell later on in the week.”

Saturday, Kamal Hardy started the game and played the first half, but was replaced by Tim Cason for the second.

Brohm did rule left tackle Grant Hermanns and running back Tario Fuller out for Saturday.

Jackson Anthrop had a difficult day on punt returns, perhaps his first such hiccups of the season.

The redshirt freshman muffed a punt in the third quarter, dropping the ball on the turf where it was recovered by the Illini. It came at a critical moment too, when Purdue was up only 13-10 early in the third quarter.

In the second quarter, Anthrop fair caught a ball at the four-yard-line, violating a return rule. Brohm wants his punter return not to drift back of the 10 — “sometimes that can vary a yard or two at the most” — to see if the ball bounces into the end zone for a touchback.

“Catching the ball on the four-yard-line wasn't something we'd like to do. I think he let himself drift, didn't know where he was at,” Brohm said. “On the drop, he just dropped the punt.

“I think he's a competitor. He'll bounce back and do a good job for us. The main reason he's back there is because he's got solid hands and we can count on him catching the ball. I'm sure he'll bounce back very well.”

For two straight games, Purdue has had more rush attempts than pass attempts, with 82 rushes compared to only 56 passes. And for the Rutgers’ game three weeks ago, it was balanced, as the Boilermakers threw the ball 44 times and ran 41.

Not a coincidence that Purdue has run the ball well in those three games, going for 687 yards on 123 carries for an average of 5.6 per attempt.

“I think we've spent a lot more time practicing and devoting time to getting better in the running game,” Brohm said. “I think we've been more consistent in running the football and sticking with it, not trying to always create big plays and take advantage of extra guys in the box, all those things.

“I think we've been able to neutralize that with different personnel groupings, spreading the field, creating some lanes. Richie (Worship), D.J. Knox, Markell (Jones), those guys are running well, taking care of the ball. Good things can happen if they're taking care of the ball, where they're going to get yards, bounce off tackles, find lanes, push the pile, get us into some manageable third-down situations.”

Purdue ranks seventh in the Big Ten in rushing yardage, with 1,434 this season. In 12 games last year, the Boilermakers had only 1,154 yards, averaging only 3.2 per carry.

“I think running the football can open up some things in the passing game,” Brohm said, “and that's probably the route we need to take.”

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