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Big Ten week 5 power rankings: The East, including Penn State, is dominating

By Alec Whitaker

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle PJ Mustipher (Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle PJ Mustipher (Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Illinois tight end Tip Reiman (89) blocks Purdue cornerback Dedrick Mackey (Image via Journal-Courier) /

Previous: 10th. Boilermakers . 8. team. 848. . 3-1 (1-0)

Purdue battled back against Illinois on Saturday to pick up a 13-9 win.

The win is even more impressive when taking into account that star wide out David Bell did not play and starting quarterback Jack Plummer was knocked out of the game.

The Boilermakers defense also played well, not allowing any touchdowns and holding Illinois to 275 yards of total offense. The Illini don’t have the greatest offense in the world, but with the injuries on Purdue’s offense, this group needed to step up, and they did.

Milton Wright filled the void left by Bell and grabbed seven passes for 88 yards in the game. Backup quarterback Aidan O’Connell linked up with TJ Sheffield for the game-winning score with 5:44 remaining.

This team is tough, their only loss came at the hands of Notre Dame on the road. If Bell and Plummer get back soon and the defense continues to play like this, this team will be a problem in the West.

The Boilermakers do need to establish a run game, but they are not a pushover like years past by any means.

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