Washington earns first Big Ten win over Purdue
The Washington Huskies beat Purdue 38‑26 on Friday night, marking their first Big Ten victory of the 2026 season.
Key points
- Washington won 38‑26, their first Big Ten win of the season.
- The game featured a turnover battle; Washington had four turnovers, Purdue had a +4 margin.
- Freshman Brian Bonner scored twice for Washington; Isaiah Ward made a strong defensive effort.
- Purdue’s defense, led by former coach Ryan Walters, struggled to stop Washington’s offense.
- Purdue’s cornerback depth was exposed after Hudauri Hines was injured.
The Washington Huskies defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 38-26 on Friday night, securing their first Big Ten victory of the 2026 season. The game was characterized by a significant turnover battle, with Washington committing four turnovers while Purdue was plus-four in turnover margin. Despite this advantage, the Boilermakers scored only 13 points off five takeaways in the loss.
Key Performances
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch praised his team's performance following the wild contest. The Huskies played without Demond Williams, but freshman running back Brian Bonner emerged as a key contributor, scoring twice to spark the offense. On the defensive side, edge rusher Isaiah Ward delivered a strong performance against the Boilermakers, despite a lack of box score data highlighting specific stats in the immediate aftermath.
Purdue's defensive strategy, coordinated by former coach Ryan Walters, placed the offense in tough positions. The Boilermakers also faced challenges at cornerback, where depth was exposed after their best coverage corner, Hudauri Hines, was injured. Pro Football Focus provided grades for Washington players following the Friday night matchup.
Your questions, answered
What was the score of the Washington vs. Purdue game?
Washington defeated Purdue 38‑26.
Who was the key player for Washington in the game?
Freshman running back Brian Bonner scored twice for Washington.
How does this story make you feel?
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