It was the prettiest of starts but once Purdue football took control, it leaned on its veteran running back and the offense lead on its overmatched opponent.
The Boilermakers won 34-17 over Southern Illinois on Saturday night at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue is 2-0 under a first-year coach for the first time since 1916, Barry Odom etching his name next to Cleo O’Donnell.
Running back Devin Mockobee took over and rushed for 126 yards on 32 attempts (3.9 per) with two touchdowns out of the wildcat.
Here’s how it happened:
Southern Illinois scores first points since first quarter against Purdue defense
Well, Southern Illinois finally moved the ball enough to get into scoring position. It took 10 plays to go 40 yards, though, before Paul Geelen hit a 53-yard field goal to cut into the deficit, albeit still a three-score game.
Purdue 34, Southern Illinois 17, 7:41 Q4
Devin Mockobee with two rushing touchdowns: Purdue football score vs Southern Illinois
It’s been the Devin Mockobee show against the Salukis, and the running back again punched in from 1-yard out on a wildcat keeper. Mockobee has 110 yards rushing and two scores on 29 carries.
Purdue 34, Southern Illinois 14, 11:48 Q4
Slow-paced third quarter sees Purdue football leading Southern Illinois
As we turn for home, the Boilermakers maintain their 27-14 lead over Southern Illinois, which twice led this game. But Purdue’s defense has buckled down and the offense has played a slow grind to wind the clock down.
Purdue football adds field goal as Spencer Porath hits field goal post and in
Doink! Spencer Porath’s 43-yard field goal clanked off the left up right and through. It capped the first scoring drive of the half and came only after quarterback Ryan Browne fired a missle too far in front of EJ Horton on third-and-12.
Purdue 27, Southern Illinois 14, 6:15 Q3
Ryan Browne throws interception on Purdue’s first drive of second half
Arhmad Branch wasn’t in sync with quarterback Ryan Browne, who threw an interception to open the second half. Branch was running a deep seam route up the middle and Browne underthrew him, leading to an easy catch for Southern Illinois defensive back Vinny Pierre Jr.
Malachi Thomas field goal return attempt ends first half: Purdue football score, stats vs Southern Illinois
A 58-yard field goal attempt by Southern Illinois led to a Malachi Thomas return attempt but, rest assured for Alabama fans, there was no “kick 6” this time. That play ended the first half and ensured the Boilermakers maintained a two-score lead, 24-14.
But the Salukis have actually outgained Purdue in total yardage, 217-204. As great as Purdue’s passing attack was against Ball State, it has been a balanced effort against SIU. Ryan Browne is 8-of-13 passing with two touchdowns. He’s rushed for 28 yards on five totes and Devin Mockobee has 69 yards rushing on 16 carries with his score. Both Arhmad Branch and Nitro Tuggle have touchdown receptions.
Southern Illinois quarterback DJ Williams has been excellent. He’s 14 for 19 with 170 yards passing and a touchdown, and he’s added 31 yards and a score on 12 carries.
Devin Mockobee has first touchdown of Purdue football season. Boilermakers up two scores on Southern Illinois
Purdue’s rushing attack has already surpassed what it did in Week 1 against Ball State with 110 yards rushing. Devin Mockobee scores his first touchdown of the season with a 1-yard touchdown run out of a wildcat formation.
Mockobee has rushed for 69 yards and a score on 16 carries.
Purdue 24, Southern Illinois 14, 1:21 Q2
DJ Williams stuffed on fourth down by Smiley Bradford, Purdue football defense
The Salukis have been aggressive offensively, going for it on fourth down in their own territory. It worked the first time with big DJ Williams at quarterback and converting. But not this time as Smiley Bradford made an open-field tackle at the Purdue 45 for a loss of 1 and a turnover on downs.
That’s two straight stops for the Purdue defense.
Purdue football now leads Southern Illinois with red-zone field goal
The Boilermakers marched down to the Southern Illinois 7-yard line, but couldn’t get closer as Spencer Porath hit a 25-yard field goal to give Purdue its first lead of the game. It has now scored on all three of its drives and has gained 158 yards on 25 plays (6.3 yards per play) with 12 first downs.
Purdue 17, Southern Illinois 14, 10:41 Q2
Charles Correa sack gives Purdue football the ball back, first stop vs Southern Illinois
Charles Correa stepped up when Purdue needed a stop. He sacked SIU quarterback DJ Williams on third-and-1 to force a punt and secure the first stop for Purdue’s defense.
Nitro Tuggle scores his first touchdown with Purdue football on pass from Ryan Browne
It appears to be an offensive game as Ryan Browne found Nitro Tuggle for a long 29-yard touchdown pass. The Georgia transfer is an immense talent who ESPN’s “College GameDay” didn’t remember from his time in the SEC last week, but he’s proving that he has talent beyond his name.
It was a 76-yard scoring drive that took eight plays to even the game.
Purdue 14, Southern Illinois 14, 1:33 Q1
DJ Williams torches Purdue defense again. Big pass to Fabian McCray, touchdown pass to Ryan Schwendeman
Southern Illinois quarterback DJ Williams is causing issues for the Boilermakers defense. He found a streaking Fabian McCray for a 63-yard gain, pitched to his running back for 8 yards and then a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Schwendeman to go up a score on Purdue.
Southern Illinois 14, Purdue 7, 5:08 Q1
Purdue football evens score against Southern Illinois. Arhmad Branch touchdown catch from Ryan Browne
It wasn’t quite as quick as the season opener, but the Boilermakers answered SIU’s score with one of their own. A nine-play, 72-yard drive was capped by a 13-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Browne to Arhmad Branch. Branch had 101 yards receiving in the first quarter last week.
Browne was 3 for 4 for 30 yards and running back Devin Mockobee had 28 yards rushing on four carries.
Purdue 7, Southern Illinois 7, 6:34 Q1
Southern Illinois leads with first score against Purdue football. Quarterback DJ Williams shines
The first points Purdue has allowed this season also gives it its first deficit of the season. DJ Williams used his legs for a 7-yard touchdown. He accounted for 72 yards of offense — 24 yards rushing rushing on four carries and 48 yards passing on 3 of 5.
Southern Illinois 7, Purdue 0, 10:29 Q1
Southern Illinois drives into the red zone against Purdue defense
It’s first-and-goal at the Purdue 7-yard line for the Salukis. Not a great start for the Boilermakers defense, which shut out Ball State last week. Southern Illinois has converted both its third-down opportunities and is on the end zone’s doorstep.
Purdue football injury report vs Southern Illinois. Who is out for Boilermakers against SIU?
There are five Boilermakers who are out against the Salukis for the Saturday night tilt. They include: Chauncey Magwood, De’Nylon Morrissette, Jalil Hall, Winston Berglund and Jon Grimmett.
When is Purdue vs SIU game in Week 2 of the college football season? What date is Purdue at Southern Illinois football?
Purdue vs Southern Illinois is Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.
What time does Southern Illinois vs Purdue game start today, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025? When does Purdue football vs SIU begin?
Purdue vs SIU begins at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
What channel is Purdue football vs SIU game today? How to watch Southern Illinois at Purdue on TV
TV: BTN with Jack Kizer (play-by-play), Jared Thomas (analyst) and Melanie Ricks (sideline)
Watch Purdue football vs SIU on Fubo (free trial)
Where to stream, watch Purdue vs SIU football football game today, Saturday, September 6, 2025? Streaming Purdue football at Ross-Ade Stadium
Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Catch Purdue vs Southern Illinois on Fubo
How to watch, stream the Purdue football vs SIU game today, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025? Streaming Purdue vs Southern Illinois at Ross-Ade Stadium
Catch all the action between Purdue football and SIU from West Lafayette on BTN (Fubo offers a free trial).
Watch Purdue and SIU live
How to listen to Purdue football vs Southern Illinois game today on radio, Saturday, Sept. 6? Streaming SIU vs Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium
Purdue football vs SIU tickets
Ticket prices for the Purdue vs Southern Illinois game at Ross-Ade Stadium start at $7 on StubHub.
Buy Purdue football tickets
Who is favored between Purdue football and SIU? Predictions, picks, betting odds for Purdue vs Southern Illinois
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football vs Southern Illinois final score, recap: Devin Mockobee has 2 touchdowns, 100 yards
Reporting by Evan Frank, Chris Sims, Nathan Baird and Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
