Illinois Postgame Notes
Illinois 48, Purdue 14
Ross-Ade Stadium  //  Nov. 7, 2015  //  Attendance: 40,197

TEAM NOTES

•    Illinois moved to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the Big Ten. Purdue dropped to 2-7 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten.
•    Illinois is one win away from becoming bowl eligible. The Illini are looking to reach its second consecutive bowl game and fourth in the last six years.
•    Illinois is 28-33-2 against Purdue in The Cannon trophy series. Illinois leads the overall series against Purdue, 44-41-6. 
•    Illinois tied the series, 22-20-4, in games played in West Lafayette. Illinois has won two straight games at Ross-Ade Stadium.
•    Illinois has won two of the last three against Purdue after losing seven of the previous eight meetings with the Boilermakers.  
•    Illinois won on the road for the first time this season, moving to 1-3 in away games. Purdue dropped to 2-4 at home in 2015.
•    Illinois held Purdue's offense scoreless at Ross-Ade Stadium for 77:22 straight minutes dating back to 2013 (last 48:19 of 2013, first 29:03 of 2015).
•    Illinois gained 595 total yards, its second time this year gaining over 500 yards (512 vs. Western Illinois). Illinois outgained Purdue, 595-263. Illinois' 595 total yards on offense is its most since totaling 601 against Miami (OH) Sept. 28, 2013. 
•    The Illini's 382 rushing yards were its most in a Big Ten game since 2010. Illinois had 519 yards rushing vs. Northwestern Nov. 20, 2010.
•    Illinois held reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week QB David Blough to 174 passing yards and forced two interceptions. Blough was 28 of 43 passing for 274 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions against Nebraska last week.
•    The Illini forced five three-and-outs on 14 Purdue drives (35.7 percent). Illinois has forced 44 three-and-out drives this season (4.9 per game). Illinois forced 44 three-and-out drives in all of 2014 (3.4 per game). 
•    Illinois did not commit a turnover, after Purdue forced five turnovers against Nebraska last week.
•    The Illini's 27 points in the first half matched its most in the first 30 minutes of a Big Ten game since being tied 31-31 at Michigan Nov. 6, 2010. Illinois led Indiana, 27-13, at half Oct. 8, 2011 and led Indiana, 27-10, at half Oct. 23, 2010.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES 

•    Senior RB Josh Ferguson had 12 rushes for 133 yards, his seventh career 100-yard game. He added six receptions for 41 yards. 
•    Ferguson is averaging (126.5) all-purpose yards per game in four career games against Purdue (506 yards in four games). 
•    Illinois improved to 5-1 in games when Ferguson plays. The Illini average 33.2 points per game (199 in six games) with Ferguson, compared to 11.0 points per game (33 points in 3 games) without the senior running back.
•    Freshman RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn carried 16 times for 180 yards. Vaughn's 180 yards rushing were the most by a true freshman since Rocky Harvey had 215 yards on the ground vs. Middle Tennessee Sept. 12, 1998. Vaugh added one catch for 23 yards, totaling 203 all-purpose yards. 
•    Vaughn and Ferguson were the first 100-yard rushing duo for the Illini since Troy Pollard (133) and Donovonn Young (100) vs. Western Michigan Sept. 24, 2011 (Bill Cubit was WMU's head coach). It was the 24th time in Illinois history the Illini had two players gain over 100 rushing yards. 
•    Freshman WR Desmond Cain led the Illini with six receptions for a career-high 74 yards. Cain caught his first career touchdown pass, a 20-yard reception, during the second quarter. 
•    Sophomore WR Malik Turner scored Illini's first opening-drive touchdown since he caught a five-yard touchdown against Middle Tennessee Sept. 26. 
•    Junior SS Taylor Barton recorded his fourth interception of the season in the second quarter. He came into the game ranked 25th in the nation with three interceptions. Barton's four interceptions are the most in a season by an Illini since Kevin Mitchell's five in 2007.
•    Senior K Taylor Zalewski made two of three field goal attempts. He had made six straight field goals before missing a 42-yard attempt during the third quarter.
•    Junior LB T.J. Neal Jr. had a career-high 3.0 TFLs, including his first career sack. 
•    Senior CB V'Angelo Bentley had his first career sack late in the fourth quarter.
•    Sophomore RB Kendrick Foster scored his first career touchdown on an 18-yard run late in the fourth quarter.  
•    Junior DB Jevaris Little had his first career interception. 
•    Junior P Ryan Frain booted a career-long 63-yard punt in the first quarter.