College Football

Illinois entered with a chance to win the Big Ten West and advance to the conference championship for the first time. However, Purdue defeated Indiana 30-16 to win the division title and will play Michigan at Indianapolis next Saturday.

It was the season finale for NIU.

The undefeated Wolverines played much of the second half without star running back Blake Corum, who grabbed his left knee after being tackled just before halftime.

Illinois State quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse ran for an 8-yard touchdown in overtime to help the Redbirds beat winless Western Illinois 20-13.

Northwestern has lost 10 straight, this one coming in the starting debut of second-year quarterback Cole Freeman.

No. 3 Michigan hosts Illinois in the Big House on Saturday with plenty at stake for both teams.

Mark Gronowski threw for 283 yards with a touchdown and he added a rushing score, and South Dakota Sate beat Illinois State 31-7 to run the table in the Missouri Valley Football Conference for the first time in program history.

Purdue scored on three-straight drives to take a 28-21 lead on Payne Durham's 13-yard touchdown reception with 13:13 left, finishing a drive that was aided by three Illinois penalties.

Northwestern played four quarterbacks, a function of injury and attempt to generate offense.

Control of the Big Ten West is on the line with the Boilermakers trailing the Illini by one game with three games to go for each team.

Jaiden Credle ran 36 times for 136 yards and touchdown, Justin Lynch scored on a 9-yard run in the closing seconds and Northern Illinois beat Western Michigan 24-21 Wednesday night.

Illinois offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. has agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season, the school announced Wednesday.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, in his first start, ran for a pair of touchdowns as the Redbirds took a 17-13 lead at the half.

Evan Hull ran for 122 yards and a touchdown for Northwestern.

Illinois has been the surprise of the year in the Big Ten after seizing control of the Big Ten West and winning six straight games.

The FCS fourth-ranked Bison (6-2, 4-1 Missouri Valley Football Conference) rebounded from their 23-21 loss to South Dakota State that ended a three-game win streak.

The Illini beat the Cornhuskers for the third year in a row.

Northwestern had its losing streak reach seven games.