Quick Count: Purdue 24, Nevada 14

Perhaps. Despite four turnovers (losing the margin 4-0), Purdue won, a statistical rarity. And the Boilermakers needed a missed chippy field goal by Nevada of only 27-yards with 4:16 left to keep a three-point lead late.

But credit to Da'Wan Hunte, in his first game this season, for perfectly playing the third-and-goal before, containing the running back while then getting help to set up the fourth down.

• Purdue's defense played its best game of the season — by far — in holding Nevada in check most of the day. The Wolf Pack had only 205 yards with 1:17 remaining while Purdue led 24-14.

Considering Nevada's rushing attack, which had been averaging 208 yards per game, had only 24 mid-way through the fourth quarter, it was a good day.

The defense was the reason Purdue won, as the offense coughed up the ball four times. The defensive line gets a ton of credit, causing stifling the running game and also causing havoc up front. It finished with five sacks.

• Purdue was forced to play without its two starting tackles, Martesse Patterson for what's been described by Darrell Hazell as a personal issue and Matt McCann due to an ankle injury.

Senior Cameron Cermin held up fine — and played well, it seemed — for the latter at right tackle, but Jalen Neal struggled, particularly in pass protection, on the left. McCann sat on the bench during the game. Patterson was not dressed.

• Markell Jones had a mixed bag, as he plays with an injured shoulder.

He finished with his second 100-yard game of the season, but also had back-to-back fumbles in the first half, when it looked as though he couldn't secure the ball.