Purdue’s trip to Illinois last week looked like a long shot on paper, but the Boilermakers came home with a result few saw coming. Their 24-17 upset of the Fighting Illini snapped a skid and gave Barry Odom’s team its first Big Ten win since 2023, setting up a little more buzz around Saturday night’s home matchup with Minnesota in West Lafayette, Ind.
The win was the biggest of Odom’s two seasons at Purdue, which enters at 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten. Ryan Browne helped drive the result with 255 passing yards and a touchdown, while Fame Ijeboi added 65 yards on 19 carries.
Ijeboi’s role adds an extra layer to this one. He transferred from Minnesota after rushing for 441 yards and two touchdowns last season, and he has already become a major part of Purdue’s offense with 354 yards and six scores this year.
"Fame is a tremendous player for us with a great heart," Odom said. "He does everything we ask of him."
Kevin Kane, Purdue’s defensive coordinator, said Monday morning the postgame reaction told the story of what the victory meant inside the program.
"To see the smiles on their face afterwards was awesome," Kane said Monday morning. "That's where this profession is so rewarding."
Now Purdue is trying to string together consecutive conference wins after dropping 19 straight league games. Minnesota, meanwhile, comes in at 4-1 and 2-0 in Big Ten play and is looking to keep its perfect start in conference play intact.
The Golden Gophers earned plenty of attention last week by beating Michigan 20-14 in Minneapolis, then celebrating with a field-storming after their first home win over the Wolverines since 1977.
"Never gets old," Golden Gophers coach P.J. Fleck said, "but we've moved on internally.
We got a really good football team that we got to go out and play at West Lafayette at night. We better play our best football game of the year."
Minnesota’s defense has been the backbone of its three-game winning streak, allowing just 38 points during that stretch.
The Golden Gophers lead the all-time series 42-35-3 and beat Purdue 27-20 last season in Minneapolis.
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Gophers Get A Big Ten Test With Familiar Drama At Purdue
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Purdue brings a familiar subplot into the matchup, with former Minnesota running back Fame Ijeboi now part of the Boilermakers' offense and leading their ground game. The setting only adds to the intrigue, since Minnesota is walking into a place where conference games can turn quickly and where the Gophers will have to handle both the opponent and the emotions that come with seeing a former teammate on the other sideline. [Read more 🡒]