Dan Dierking's seven-yard touchdown run with 3:54 left in the game gave Purdue a 20-17 win over No. 25 Northwestern in a Big Ten game on Saturday night.

Dierking's run capped a 14-play drive that covered 68 yards for the Boilermakers (3-2) and sent the Wildcats (5-1) to their first loss of the season.

Stefan Demos missed a 45-yard field goal with 1:01 left that would have tied the game. Purdue blocked a Demos field goal on Northwestern's previous possession that led to the Boilermakers' winning drive.

Rob Henry, making his first career start for Purdue, completed 6 of 18 passes for 47 yards, but ran for 135 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown.

Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa completed 30-of-41 passes for 303 yards.

Jacob Schmidt's two-yard run in the first quarter gave Northwestern the lead. Henry's 1-yard in the second quarter tied the game.

Carson Wiggs' 36-yard field goal put Purdue ahead. Demos' 46-yard field goal with 45 seconds left before the half made it 10-10.

Persa's 5-yard run gave Northwestern the lead early in the third quarter. Wiggs kicked a 40-yarder that cut the lead to 17-13 going into the fourth quarter.