O’Connell rallies Boilermakers late to get past Illini 13-9
Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield (8) during an NCAA football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept.18, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Robert Franklin)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Aidan O’Connell hooked up with T.J. Sheffield on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 5:44 left to play, giving Purdue a 13-9 victory over rival Illinois.
The Boilermakers rebounded from their only loss of the season by claiming the Cannon Trophy for the second straight year.
Illinois has lost four in a row since beating Nebraska in the season opener, this one coming after giving up the only touchdown of the game.