Purdue Football: Thrilling win over Iowa shows Boilermakers aren’t done yet

Purdue football needed every bit of offense from David Blough and Terry Wright on Saturday, along with a game-winning field goal to defeat Iowa.

David Blough finished 23-of-32 for 333 yards with four touchdowns, connecting with Terry Wright on three of those scores and six times overall for 146 yards. The third touchdown connection gave the Boilermakers a 35-23 lead late in the third, but the Hawkeyes would rally.

Mekhi Sargent found the end zone on a pair of 1-yard rushing scores, with the second giving Iowa a 36-35 lead. But Blough worked the ball down the field and set Evans up for the game-winner from 25 yards out with just seconds left.

Nate Stanley threw for 275 yards and Noah Fant had 85 yards receiving to lead Iowa, who has now lost two in a row after a 30-24 setback at Penn State last week. The Hawkeyes, who once appeared in control of their own destiny in their division of the Big Ten, have played four of their last five away from Kinnick Stadium.

Blough, though, was the difference on a day when star Rondale Moore was contained by the Hawks. He has now thrown for over 300 yards in five games this year, putting a stranglehold on the starting job.

Wright, meanwhile, stepped in for Moore with his biggest game of the season. Coming into the contest, the senior had just 15 catches for 200 yards, almost matching his yardage total with one big game.

The loss will sting a bit for the Hawkeyes due in large part to a pair of decisions to go for two instead of kick the extra-point. Down 28-23, Iowa did just that, coming up short on a pass attempt by Stanley. The same happened with it 36-35 in favor of the Hawks early in the fourth.

Iowa, sitting at 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the league, returns home to host Northwestern, with Purdue heading to Minnesota at 5-4, 4-2.