Purdue was forced to shake off its share of rust after an unexpected week off, but was unsuccessful as No. 23 Northwestern defeated the Boilermakers, 27-20, at Ross-Ade Stadium Saturday night.
The Boilermakers (2-1) were off because last weekend’s opponent, Wisconsin, was unable to host because of COVID concerns. Last week’s layoff affected the Boilermakers offense the most with just two rushing yards on the night and only four third down conversions in 17 tries.
“I (give) credit to Northwestern. They did a really good job on defense of shutting down our run,” said Purdue coach Jeff Brohm following the game. “It seemed like we were going backward when we were running the ball.”
Junior running back Zander Horvath averaged 115 rushing yards a game before Saturday night, which ranked second in the Big Ten. Horvath rushed for only 21 yards, but the Boilermakers’ net rushing total was pushed down further because of three quarterback sacks for a total loss of 24 yards.
Northwestern quarterback Peyton Ramsey completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Ramaud Chiaokhiao at the 3:13 mark in the second quarter to grab the lead for good, 17-10.
Purdue was able to narrow the Northwestern lead to seven points with 7:35 to go in the game. Junior quarterback Aiden O’Connell hit sophomore wide receiver Milton Wright for a 14-yard touchdown pass, Wright’s second touchdown reception of the season and third of his career.
But on the Boilermakers’ two ensuing possessions, the offense struggled again and failed to move the ball past the 50-yard line on each possession.
O’Connell finished with 263 yards, including two touchdowns, and was forced to throw more than 50 times because of Purdue’s struggling running attack. But Northwestern forced a fumble in the third quarter while O’Connell was scrambling. The Wildcats then recovered the ball at the Purdue 40 and turned it into a touchdown drive that put the game out of reach.
Though Northwestern contained Horvath on the ground, he caught nine passes for a team-leading 100 yards and set new career highs in both categories.
Purdue was again without redshirt sophomore Rondale Moore, out for a third straight game with the same undisclosed injury. When asked after the game, Brohm said, “Every situation is different, and as soon as he is healthy and ready to go we will have him on the field and I do think that will happen this year.”
Northwestern is 4-0 and leads the Big Ten West. Purdue’s next game is Friday (November 11) in Minnesota against the Golden Gophers.
