Purdue re-establishes running game against Illini
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue's running game came out of hibernation Saturday and dominated in a 24-14 win over Illinois.
The Boilermakers rolled for 220 yards on 39 carries, the most they have gained since Week 2 at Oregon.
Ralph Bolden ran for 78 yards and a touchdown, Jaycen Taylor rushed for 71 yards and a score, and quarterback Joey Elliott added 62 yards and a TD for the Boilermakers (3-5, 2-2 Big Ten).
"We did have a very balanced attack," said Elliott, who entered the game as the Big Ten leader in yards passing, passing touchdowns and total offense. "We missed a few passes, but our top key to victory was running the ball. We ran the ball well all day."
Purdue opened the season with 315 yards rushing in a 52-31 win over Toledo and followed that with 170 yards at Oregon. The Boilermakers didn't gain more than 150 yards again until Saturday.
Purdue coach Danny Hope said he wanted to establish the run early against Illinois (1-6, 0-5). The Boilermakers took advantage of a run defense that ranked 98th out of 120 schools nationally.
Taylor's role had steadily diminished since he opened the season with 81 yards on 14 carries against Toledo. He ran for 37 yards on 12 carries the next six games before Saturday's effort, and had mostly played on special teams. His 44-yard touchdown run in the first quarter tied the score 7-7.
"I didn't think it was going to open up like it did, and when it did, you've just got to make the best of it, so that's what I tried to do," Taylor said.
Taylor had grown restless watching Bolden carry the load, but acknowledged Bolden as "the man" and said he'll embrace his supporting role.
"It felt good to finally get back out there and help the team win," Taylor said. "I just try to do what I can, when I can."
After Illinois quarterback Juice Williams threw an interception, Purdue went 68 yards in 10 plays to take the lead. Bolden scored on a 3-yard run, his first touchdown since Week 2, and the Boilermakers took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Bolden, the nation's leading rusher the first two weeks of the season before teams began focusing on him, was happy to see some openings. It was his first touchdown since the Oregon game.
"It felt great," he said. "I didn't know what to do since it had been so long. I wanted to celebrate, but it was just so overwhelming."
Elliott's 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave Purdue a 21-7 lead. Hope said Elliott's running was effective.
"He made some great decisions today," Hope said. "When he does that, we don't have to call a quarterback draw. ... You never have to call it when you can manufacture it. He makes us better coaches."
Illinois had the game's top individual rusher -- Mikel Leshoure rushed 15 times for a career-high 122 yards for the Fighting Illini. It didn't matter because the Illini couldn't get much going late in the game.
The Illini have lost five straight games, all by double digits.
Illinois coach Ron Zook told his team Purdue is better than its record indicates.
"If you look at the offensive stats, they're at the top of the Big Ten, and they had a chance to beat Oregon," Zook said. "They're a good, well-coached football team."