LAFAYETTE, IN -- Never in doubt.
The Northwestern Wildcats started slowly against the Purdue Boilermakers, but a huge second half on the ground, a career day from Clayton Thorson and four turnovers forced allowed Northwestern to coast to an easy 45-17 victory.
The game got off to an uninspiring start for the Wildcats, as they allowed an 11-play, 61-yard drive and a field goal to give Purdue the early 3-0 lead. The drive was highlighted by a couple of big connections from David Blough to DeAngelo Yancey.
The Northwestern offense responded almost immediately with a 31 yard catch and run to Andrew Scanlan, but the drive stalled at the Purdue 26.