Weather Conditions: fair; temperature 69; wind NE 13 mph. Another big day for Kyle Orton and Purdue's receivers. Although, a couple of the bigger plays by receivers were solo tackles. With the Boilermakers up 10-3 WR Dorien Bryant caught the Big Ten's leading returner Illinois RB Pierre Thomas after a 72 yard kickoff return. WR Ray Williams stopped Thomas after a 27 yard kickoff return. The Illini return game produced yardage but the Boilers' speedsters kept them out of the end zone. On offense, Senior WR Taylor Stubblefield had a Purdue team high 11 receptions for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns. Boiler Back Brandon Jones scored his second receiving touchdown of the season with a 49 yard catch and run. Orton finished the day 35/50 passing for 366 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air.
The young Purdue defense found themselves on the road, out of sorts, and giving up yards and points to the Illinois offense in the first half. The second half looked more like what Boilermaker football fans have become used to seeing. The win makes Coach Tiller a perfect 8 for 8 in Big Ten openers at Purdue.
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