Purdue snapped a maddening losing streak Saturday, beating Illinois 29-10.
But, it lost starting quarterback David Blough to what appeared to be a significant right leg injury just prior to its game-changing touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Elijah Sindelar replaced Blough after he'd been carted off and threw the game's biggest touchdown two plays later. Then, after a turnover, Sindelar guided another TD drive to put the game away.
Blough finished the game, maybe his season, 16-of-24 passing for 194 yards. He'd gotten Purdue's offense broken out of a malaise just before leaving the game.
Purdue ran for 210 yards
How they scored
Purdue 7, Illinois 0 — 10:24, first quarter — After botching a third-and-two snap in Illinois territory, Purdue went for it on fourth-and-three and pitched to D.J. Knox, who got boxed in and actually hit behind the line, but escaped and ran down the left sideline for a 33-yard score. Double-digit runs by Richie Worship and Jared Sparks (on direct snaps) positioned Purdue for the score.
Purdue 7, Illinois 7 — 4:34, first quarter — After hitting a big pass play early in the second after a penalty, Illinois pieced together a methodical 12-play, 75-yard scoring drive aided by a PI call against Josh Okonye on third-and-goal. Illinois scored on an eight-yard throw from Jeff George Jr. to Louis Dorsey.
Purdue 10, Illinois 7 — 12:30, second quarter — Purdue responded to Illinois' score with a season-high 17-play drive, 7:04 drive, but after converting a fourth down in Illinois territory, fell short on third down inside the 10 and settled for J.D. Dellinger's 26-yard field goal.
Purdue 10, Illinois 10 — 1:06, second quarter — After Purdue had 12 men on the field for a field goal that missed, Illinois went from fourth-and-six to fourth-and-one and converted inside the 20, then Purdue's D held inside the 10, and Illinois settled for Chase McLaughlin's 31-yard kick.
Purdue 13, Illinois 10 — Halftime — With just 1:06 to work with to end the half, David Blough led Purdue 50 yards in eight plays to give Spencer Evans a crack at a 42-yard kick at the halftime horn. The kick was good.
Purdue 16, Illinois 10 — 3:47, third quarter — After a 37-yard completion to Jarrett Burgess on third-and-nine — ruled a catch and fumble, with no review — Purdue again fizzled out in the red zone and settled for a kick, this time J.D. Dellinger's 30-yarder.
Purdue 22, Illinois 10 — 11:37, fourth quarter— Purdue took command with a dominant 91-yard offensive drive, highlighted by six double-digit yard gains. Two plays after quarterback David Blough was lost to injury, Elijah Sindelar hit Cole Herdman on third-and-one inside the 5 for a three-yard score. Jared Sparks' two-point conversion run was no good.
Purdue 29, Illinois 10 — 6:12, fourth quarter — After a Jacob Thieneman interception around midfield, Elijah Sindelar hit Gregory Phillips for a 29-yard deep ball to the Illini 3. Two plays later, Richie Worship plowed in from a yard out to pile on.
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