O’Connell, Durham shine as Purdue beat No. 21 Illinois 31-21

By GAVIN GOOD
Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Aidan O’Connell passed for 237 yards and three scores, two to Payne Durham, and Purdue beat No. 21 Illinois 31-24 to turn the Big Ten West race into a muddled mess. The win gives the Boilermakers a tie for first and a crucial head-to-head tiebreaker over the Illini, who were firmly in control until losing their last two games. Purdue scored on three-straight drives to take a 28-21 lead on Durham’s 13-yard touchdown reception with 13:13 left, finishing a drive that was aided by three Illinois penalties.