Aidan O'Connell
FILE - Illinois running back Chase Hayden carries the ball as Minnesota defensive lineman Jah Joyner comes from behind to make the tackle during a NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Joyner led the team in quarterback pressures despite being in a backup role. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Big Ten spring wrap: 14 players to watch in upcoming season

By Eric Olson Apr. 27, 2023 10:23 AM EDT

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards (7) runs with the ball as Purdue safety Sanoussi Kane (21) defends during the second half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
No. 2 Michigan beats Purdue 43-22 for Big Ten crown

By Michael Marot Dec. 04, 2022 12:10 AM EST

Purdue's Payne Durham, front left, goes in for touchdown as he is tackled by Indiana's Jaylin Williams, back left, and Jonathan Haynes (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 2 Michigan chases Big Ten crown, playoffs against Purdue

By The Associated Press Dec. 01, 2022 12:10 PM EST

The Purdue football team celebrates with the Old Oaken Bucket after defeating Indiana in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 2 Michigan's begins title quest against Boilermakers

By Michael Marot Dec. 01, 2022 12:07 PM EST

Purdue wide receiver Charlie Jones (15) breaks the tackle of Northwestern defensive back Jeremiah Lewis (9) on his way to a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Walk-ons pave way for Purdue to capture Big Ten West title

By Michael Marot Nov. 30, 2022 12:50 PM EST

Purdue's Ben Buechel (91), Payne Durham (87) and Paul Piferi (89) hold the Old Oaken Bucket after Purdue defeated Indiana in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
QB Aidan O'Connell led Purdue to win after brother's death

Nov. 27, 2022 04:41 PM EST

The Purdue football team celebrates with the Old Oaken Bucket after defeating Indiana in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Bucket List: Purdue earns title game bid with win at Indiana

By Michael Marot Nov. 26, 2022 06:48 PM EST

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) is tackled by Purdue defensive back Reese Taylor (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue trying to keep Bucket, win Big Ten West at Indiana

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2022 12:15 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Marc Lebryk)
Purdue visits No. 21 Illinois in key Big Ten West matchup

By Gavin Good Nov. 10, 2022 03:40 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) hands off to running back Devin Mockobee during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 35-24. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Purdue faces Iowa in battle to stay relevant in Big Ten West

By The Associated Press Nov. 03, 2022 10:23 AM EDT

Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan is transported to the locker room after being injured in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Gophers' Ibrahim big challenge for No. 16 Penn State defense

By Eric Olson Oct. 20, 2022 03:10 AM EDT

Purdue running back Kobe Lewis (25) runs against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
O'Connell, Mockobee, help power Purdue past Nebraska 43-37

By Michael Marot Oct. 15, 2022 11:21 PM EDT

Rutgers defensive back Kessawn Abraham, left, watches Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer (3) catch a pass for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in Piscataway, N.J. (Andrew Mills/NJ Advance Media via AP)
Nebraska, Purdue both aiming to keep pace in Big Ten West

By The Associated Press Oct. 13, 2022 08:29 AM EDT

FILE - Illinois head coach Bret Bielema smiles after a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. Less than two full years on the job, Bret Bielema and his Illinois football team are achieving at a rate not seen in the program in a long time. Bielema is the pick for top coach in the Associated Press Big Ten Midseason Awards, Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Bielema, surging Illini collect AP Big Ten midseason honors

By Eric Olson Oct. 11, 2022 01:42 PM EDT

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) celebrates his touchdown with C.J. Dipre and other teammates in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Purdue holds off penalty-prone Maryland 31-29

By Noah Trister Oct. 08, 2022 03:48 PM EDT

University of Wisconsin football defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard addresses reporters during a news conference announcing the firing of head coach Paul Chryst in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. Leonhard has been named the team's interim coach. (John Hart/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)
Big Ten: Illini go for 4 wins in row in showdown with Iowa

By Eric Olson Oct. 06, 2022 03:10 AM EDT

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema watches before an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Big Ten West teams are mild, but division race could be wild

By Eric Olson Oct. 04, 2022 02:09 PM EDT

Purdue running back Dylan Downing (38) celebrates with tight end Payne Durham after scoring a touchdown against Minnesota during the first half an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Spoilermakers: Purdue stifles No. 21 Minnesota for 20-10 win

By Dave Campbell Oct. 01, 2022 03:57 PM EDT

Minnesota's Mohamed Ibrahim (24) rushes against Michigan State's Angelo Grose (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. Minnesota won 34-7. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Star RB Ibrahim out for No. 21 Minnesota against Purdue

Oct. 01, 2022 01:28 PM EDT

Minnesota's Daniel Jackson, right, catches a pass for a touchdown against Michigan State's Charles Brantley during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Receivers step up for 21st-ranked Minnesota; Purdue up next

By Dave Campbell Sep. 29, 2022 07:20 PM EDT