Marlin Jackson. The Michigan offense had a solid (but not dominant) day against the stout Purdue defense, as senior RB Chris Perry grinded out 95 yards on 28 carries. The terrific trio of Michigan WRs (Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston) each made valuable contributions. Avant had 5 catches for 90 yards, Breaston took an end-around 21 yards for a score, and Edwards had 6 catches for 86 yards and 2 scores, including a highlight-reel third-quarter touchdown catch over CB Jacques Reeves that put the game out of reach. Purdue coach Joe Tiller praised the Michigan receiving corps before and after the game as "the best...(he had) ever seen." He was impressed with what he referred to as the "creatures" on the Wolverine defense. Northwestern The Boilermakers returned home and to their winning formula of ball control running, play-action passing and turnover-producing defense to bounce back from the nightmare in Ann Arbor, defeating the solid Northwestern Wildcats 34-14 to improve to 7-2 and stay in the hunt for a share of the Big Ten title. The Wildcats had excelled at ball security with an NCAA-low 2 lost fumbles, but they came apart against the Purdue defense by losing 4 fumbles. Two of these were turned into first quarter touchdowns by the Boilermaker offense, led by an efficient Kyle Orton (14-24; 212 yards, 1 rushing touchdown). Late in the 3rd quarter, after the Purdue defense had stopped Northwestern on a goal line stand, the Boilermakers embarked on a 98-yard touchdown drive that ended with RB Jerod Void's 2nd touchdown run to effectively put the game away. Senior WR John Standeford set the Big Ten career receiving yards record in this game, getting a brief ovation after a 31 yard catch in the 4th quarter. Iowa On a Senior Day clash with a defense every bit as strong as their own, #14 Purdue scored a surprisingly decisive 27–14 win over #10 Iowa to improve to 8–2 – Purdue's best record this late into the season since 1979. Boilermaker sophomore RB Jerod Void had his best game of the season to date with 34 carries for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns against the NCAA top 10 ranked Iowa run defense. For the 8th time in 10 games, the Boilers took their opening drive for a score, as Void took advantage of terrific blocking by his offensive line and junior FB Jon Goldsberry