Northwestern vs Purdue rivalry

Purdue leads the series 53-36-1 in meetings on record since 1895.

This season
Source: CollegeFootballData, 2026 season
Next meeting

Northwestern and Purdue do not play each other in the 2026 regular season.

All-time series

Northwestern 3690 meetings since 189553 Purdue

Series leader: Purdue.

See the full all-time Northwestern vs Purdue head-to-head record and every meeting on record.

By decade

1890s 2 0
1900s 2 2
1910s 2 3
1920s 5 4
1930s 1 3
1940s 3 2
1950s 2 4
1960s 0 3
1970s 2 8
1980s 1 9
1990s 3 5
2000s 4 6
2010s 5 2
2020s 4 2

Series notes

Meetings played90
Series wins, Northwestern36 of 90
Series wins, Purdue53 of 90
Decided by 3 points or fewer13 of 90

Side by side, 2026 season

Northwestern Purdue
33.0 7th
Points per game
30.4 12th
16.8 8th
Points allowed
35.0 18th
437.8 7th
Total yards per game
405.8 9th
6.9 5th
Yards per play
5.9 15th
212.8 4th
Rush yards per game
99.2 18th
225.0 14th
Pass yards per game
306.6 4th
21.5 10th
First downs per game
23.0 7th
41.3% 10th
Third-down rate
46.0% 7th
+5 4th
Turnover margin
-1 12th
7 7th
Takeaways
3 15th
6 15th
Sacks
7 12th
8 12th
Sacks allowed
13 15th
64.0 12th
Penalty yards per game
57.8 10th
31:01 10th
Time of possession
32:03 4th

Season totals from CollegeFootballData. Small figure: rank within the Big Ten; the better side is highlighted.

Recent meetings

2025 PurduevsNorthwestern Northwestern won 0-19
2024 NorthwesternvsPurdue Northwestern won 26-20
2023 PurduevsNorthwestern Northwestern won 15-23
2022 NorthwesternvsPurdue Purdue won 9-17
2021 NorthwesternvsPurdue Purdue won 14-32
2020 NorthwesternvsPurdue Northwestern won 27-20
2019 PurduevsNorthwestern Purdue won 24-22
2018 NorthwesternvsPurdue Northwestern won 31-27
2017 PurduevsNorthwestern Northwestern won 13-23
2016 NorthwesternvsPurdue Northwestern won 45-17

Results are read from official box scores and republished after every meeting.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the record in Northwestern vs Purdue?

Purdue leads the series 53-36-1 in meetings on record since 1895. That is Northwestern 36, Purdue 53 across 90 meetings on record.

When do Northwestern and Purdue play next?

Northwestern and Purdue do not play each other in the 2026 regular season.