By IlliniGuys Staff

October 12, 2024

(Cover photo courtesy Illinois Athletics)

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illini linebacker Dylan Rosiek sacked Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne on a potential game-winning two-point conversion in overtime as 23rd ranked Illinois survived an upset bid by Purdue, 50-49 in Champaign Saturday afternoon.

The win is just the second Illini victory in the last nine meetings with the Boilermakers and ends a four-game slide to their rivals, giving them possession of the coveted Cannon Trophy for the first time under head coach Bret Bielema. It's the Illini's first home win in the series since 2010.

Bielema is now 4-0 in overtime games in his four seasons in Champaign and becomes just the third Illini coach to win at least five games in his first four years. It's the first time Illinois has won two overtime games in the same season.

Illinois (5-1, 2-1) had a 27-3 lead early in the 3rd quarter before Purdue woke up. After scoring just 16 points total in their last two games, the Boilers put up 17 points in the quarter on a Browne touchdown pass, a Luke Altmyer fumble recovery and return for a touchdown, and a field goal to make it a 27-20 game entering the 4th quarter.

The teams traded touchdowns before Devin Mockabee's two-yard touchdown run with 1:35 left closed the gap to 40-35. Then Purdue recovered the onside kick and marched downfield for a Browne to Mockabee touchdown pass followed by Browne to Jamahl Edrine for the two-point conversion as the Boilermakers went ahead for the first time, 43-40 with 46 seconds left. In all, Purdue (1-5, 0-3) scored 40 points in the final 23 minutes.

Altmyer and the Illini didn't panic. After an incomplete pass, the veteran passer hit Patrick Bryant for a 32 yard gain. Then after a sack and another incomplete pass, Altmeyer hooked up with Hank Beatty on a 28 yard pass to set up a 38 yard field goal by David Olano on the game's final play to tie the score at 43-43 and send it to overtime.

On the first play of overtime, Altmyer connected with Bryant for a 25-yard score and a 50-43 lead.  Purdue responded with an Arhmad Branch 3-yard touchdown run and decided to go for the two-point conversion to score the upset win.  That's when Rosiek delivered his heroic sack to lift the Illini out of what would have been their most embarrassing loss of the season.

It was by far the best offensive effort for Purdue this season. After managing just 44 points and 921 yards total in four games against Power 4 teams, the Boilermakers scored 49 points and ran up 536 yards against Illinois, which came into the game as a 22 1/2 point favorite.

Altmyer finished 20-of-34 for a career-high 379 yards and three touchdown passes, adding a fourth score with a 13-yard run in the final quarter. Josh McCray carried most of the rushing load with starter Kaden Feagin out with an undisclosed injury. He had 16 carries for 78 yards and two touchdown on the ground and another through the air for the first three-touchdown game of his career.

Browne turned in a career performance in his first collegiate start. Filling in for Hudson Card, the sophomore was 18-of-26 for 297 yards after throwing for just 9 yards in the first half. He threw three touchdown passes and ran for a game-high 118 yards, the first Purdue quarterback since 2000 to rush for more than 100 yards.

Illinois now looks to next week's showdown against Michigan in the much anticipated re-dedication of Memorial Stadium, 100 years and one day since legend Harold "Red" Grange scored a collegiate-record six touchdowns in an upset of the Wolverines. That 2:30pm start is already a sellout and can be seen on CBS.

Stay with IlliniGuys.com for complete postgame coverage from Memorial Stadium.