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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 7 • 22 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A look back at the top plays and players from Purdue's 38-27 victory over Illinois Saturday at Memorial Stadium. TOP PLAYS No.3 Trailing 14-7 in the sec- ond quarter, the Boilermakers seemed intent on pounding the interior of Illinois' rush defense. They'd broken one run already for a touchdown, but the rest of the approach had been tough sledding: Akeem Hunt had only 37 yards on his first 10 carries. Then, on a third-and-two from near midfield, Hunt got untracked. Purdue motioned tight end Justin Sinz from right to left and lined him up just behind the tackle, and Hunt swapped from standing on Austin Appleby's right side in the shotgun to his left. On the snap, center Robert Kugler turned his defender out, and guard Jordan Roos sealed his, popping open a huge hole inside the right side of the line. Hunt hardly hesitated, hit - ting the gap hard and fast and raced untouched 54 yards for the touchdown. Illinois actually had a line- backer free to make a play, but he didn't hit the right gap, allow- ing Hunt the room. No.2 Purdue took the lead to stay on Paul Griggs' field goal at the end of the second quarter, but the game was tight late into the second half. Illinois scored a rushing touchdown to pull within 31-27. The issue: It missed the extra point, which actually could have been the game's biggest play, having them down four, rather than only a field goal. No.1 But, maybe more impor- tant than that was how Purdue's offense responded to lock the door. On the next series, Appleby completed back-to-back screens to Hunt, bringing up a third-and- one. Redshirt freshman Keyante Green, who'd not fared well in the first half in short yardage sit- uations, busted out on his third chance. Right tackle J.J. Prince drove his defender to the ground, and tight end Gabe Holmes had a kick-out block that opened the perimeter for Green to burst free for a 53-yard gain. Illinois had a defender in the gap, but Green broke the weak tackle by the cornerback and put Purdue into Illinois territory. Three plays later, Appleby kept it for a one-yard touchdown and an 11-point lead. P U R D U E 3 8 , I L L I N O I S 2 7 A LOOK BACK AT SATURDAY'S TOP PLAYS AND PLAYERS PURDUE VS. ILLINOIS GAME STORY