After relieving Jack Plummer in the third quarter and throwing interceptions on his first two series, Aidan O'Connell capped a 94-yard scoring march drive with a 14-yard scoring toss to T.J. Sheffield for the game’s only touchdown and a 13-9 victory over Illinois.

The Boilermakers (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) started the day without their best receiver, their top two running backs and lost starting tight end Payne Durham in the first half after a jarring hit knocked his helmet loose.

After leading Purdue to field goals on its first two series, Plummer couldn’t muster another score, so Brohm changed quarterbacks and O’Connell made the game-turning play for the touchdown with 5:44 left in the game.

Purdue’s defense clinched the victory by forcing a turnover on downs in its own red zone.

Illinois (1-4, 1-2) has lost four straight since a season-opening win over Nebraska.

But it was coach Bret Bielema’s decision to punt on fourth-and-2 from the Boilermakers’ 34-yard line that drew questions, especially after Jeff McCort made three field goals including the tie-breaker to give Illinois a 9-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.