CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — That really sucked.

Saturday afternoon’s Senior Day slugfest at Memorial Stadium would determine who becomes the frontrunner for the Big Ten West crown, and unfortunately Purdue delivered.

With the Boilermakers up 28-21 late in the fourth quarter, they faced a 4th and 9 in Illini territory. In what was the play of the game, the Boilermakers sealed the win with a 15-yard pass from QB Aidan O’Connell to WR TJ Sheffield.

Led by the balanced attack of O’Connell’s offense, and lots of Illinois penalties, Purdue triumphed in a back-and-forth battle, 31-24.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) started the game in eerily similar fashion to the past few weeks, using a 6-play, 74-yard drive to set up Chase Brown for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season.