“`html
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In an exciting college football matchup, Joseph Himon II made a significant impact for the Northwestern Wildcats with a spectacular 51-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, and later secured a 22-yard touchdown reception during overtime, leading his team to a 26-20 triumph over the Purdue Boilermakers.
Himon showcased his versatility by rushing for a total of 78 yards on six carries, and he added three catches for 34 yards. This win allowed the Wildcats, now 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten, to break a two-game losing streak. Quarterback Jack Lausch threw for 250 yards, completing 23 of 35 passes, including the crucial overtime touchdown, while Cam Porter contributed with eight receptions totaling 85 yards.
In a twist during overtime, Purdue (1-7, 0-5) initially possessed the ball and opted not to attempt a go-ahead field goal. Instead, they were unable to convert a fourth-and-6 situation from the 21-yard line. Just two plays later, Northwestern secured the win, extending Purdue’s losing streak to seven games.
Purdue’s quarterback, Hudson Card, completed 21 of 37 passes for 267 yards and threw one touchdown. Max Klare emerged as a key receiver with six catches for 78 yards. The Boilermakers managed to tie the score at 20 when receiver Jahmal Edrine pushed teammate Devin Mockobee across the goal line with just over five minutes left in regulation.
The game’s first score came from Himon, who broke a 3-3 stalemate by cleverly dodging multiple defenders on his way to the end zone, resulting in a 10-3 lead for Northwestern. The Wildcats capitalized on a defensive stop at midfield mid-second quarter, with Porter plunging in for a 1-yard touchdown. However, Purdue narrowed the halftime gap to 17-10 when Card connected with Edrine on a 6-yard touchdown pass during a critical fourth-and-goal situation with only 25 seconds remaining in the half. The teams exchanged field goals in the second half, setting up a thrilling conclusion to the game.
Key Points:
For Northwestern, this victory brings them two wins closer to bowl eligibility, though they face formidable opponents in their upcoming schedule, including No. 4 Ohio State, No. 24 Illinois, and last year’s national champion, Michigan.
On the other hand, Purdue missed a major opportunity to halt their losing streak, with a challenging series of games ahead against the Buckeyes, No. 3 Penn State, No. 13 Indiana, and a road matchup against Michigan State. Coach Ryan Walters may face scrutiny for his decision to forgo the field goal.
Looking ahead, Northwestern will enjoy a bye week before taking on No. 4 Ohio State at Wrigley Field on November 16, while Purdue will be on the road to face the Buckeyes next Saturday.
“`