Illinois suffers eighth consecutive setback

~ Purdue ends its own skid with a 37-3 victory.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Jerod Void ran for 102 yards and a touchdown to lead Purdue to a 37-3 win over Illinois on Saturday, the second straight victory for the Boilermakers after six consecutive losses.

Purdue (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten) won't play in a bowl game, but they saved themselves from finishing at the bottom of the league standings after starting the season ranked 15th in the country.

Illinois (2-8, 0-7) lost its eighth straight game and clinched at least a tie for last place in Ron Zook's first year as coach. The Illini avoided being shut out when Jason Reda kicked a 30-yard field goal with 7:37 left.

Pierre Thomas led Illinois with 68 yards on 11 carries, and Rashard Mendenhall added 49 yards on nine carries.

The first quarter was scoreless. Purdue running back Kory Sheets ended a nine-play, 94-yard drive with an 18-yard touchdown run that gave the Boilermakers a 10-0 at halftime.

Illinois failed to score a touchdown for the second consecutive game.