Wildcats’ run of futility reaches 10

PURDUE 17, NORTHWESTERN 9

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Make it an imperfect 10 for Northwestern.

The Wildcats lost their 10th consecutive game since a season-opening victory against Nebraska in Ireland, falling 17-9 to Purdue.

NU (1-10, 1-7 Big Ten) was down to third-string quarterback Cole Freeman after Brendan Sullivan and Ryan Hilinski were injured last week against Minnesota. Freeman was 9-for-20 for 78 yards with an interception. He also lost a fumble.

‘‘He gave everything he’s got, and that was no surprise to anyone here,’’ Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. ‘‘That’s the way he’s been since he came into the locker room. We just had to make a couple of more plays.’’

The Boilermakers (7-4, 5-3), meanwhile, got two touchdown passes from sixth-year quarterback Aidan O’Connor and three second-half turnovers from their defense to stay in the hunt for the Big Ten West title and a berth in the conference championship game Dec. 3 in Indianapolis.

‘‘You have a lot that you’re playing for,’’ O’Connell said. ‘‘People are talking about postseason stuff, and it’s not like we’re blind to it. It’s up to us to make sure we’re locked in and focused on the task at hand.’’

Purdue will end its regular season at intrastate rival Indiana. Coach Jeff Brohm knows the challenge will be even greater if the Boilermakers are playing in the same cold, blustery conditions that kept the game against NU close. But Purdue has proved it can adapt.

‘‘Purdue is in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten West for a reason,’’ Fitzgerald said.

O’Connell was 16-for-25 for 159 yards and connected with childhood friend Charlie Jones six times for 46 yards and a touchdown. The Boilermakers’ defense, meanwhile, allowed its lowest point total in conference play, and a fourth-down sack near midfield in the final minutes sealed the victory.

‘‘A win’s a win,’’ Purdue receiver Payne Durham said. ‘‘It might not have been the prettiest, but it counts as a ‘W.’ ’’