Purdue football: 3 takeaways from tight win over Illinois in Week 9

Purdue football defeated the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign 31-24. What did we learn from the Boilermakers’ second victory?

Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell had 371 yards passing and two touchdowns, and wide receiver David Bell had 122 yards receiving as the Boilermakers won a close game against the Fighting Illini on the road in Champaign, Illinois. Boilermakers running back Zander Horvath chipped in 102 yards and a touchdown on the ground for the Boilermakers.

Without starting quarterback Brandon Peters after the senior quarterback, Illinois was tested positive for COVID-19 after the Wisconsin game. Peters and redshirt freshman tight end Griffin Moore both tested positive for the coronavirus.

Without Peters, the Illinois offense produced more points this week than last. Sophomore quarterback Coran Taylor got the start at quarterback for Illinois, throwing for 273 yards and two touchdowns. It was Taylor’s turnovers that were the undoing for Illinois. Purdue forced four turnovers from the Peoria native — two interceptions and two fumbles — in this game.

The Illini were not the only team missing a star player. Purdue was missing star wide receiver Rondale Moore for a second straight game for unknown reasons. Without Moore, the passing game still had a huge game. Ultimately the turnovers and inconsistencies on offense led to the Illini digging themselves a 31-10 hole going into the fourth quarter and could not overcome.

Here are three takeaways from today’s game.