CHAMPAIGN – Toledo wasn't half as bad as Purdue's latest loss.

Leading rusher Kendall Matthews went down with a leg injury late in the Boilermakers' 48-3 Saturday romp over Illinois and could be sidelined for a while.

Just what they need heading into the meatiest portion of the Big Ten schedule. The conference co-leaders have No. 18 Iowa (away), No. 15 Michigan State (home) and No. 2 Penn State (home) on tap the next three Saturdays.

"I think it's pretty safe to say he's out next week," Boilermakers coach Joe Tiller said. "What we're hoping for is that we have him optimistically in a couple weeks, but it may be longer than that."

The senior suffered what was diagnosed as a severe quadriceps pull on his way to the end zone with six minutes left and Purdue up 45.

What was he doing in there with six minutes left and Purdue up 45?

"We had a discussion right before that series on whether to play him," Tiller said. "We thought we'd go once more with the younger quarterback and give him a chance to get some experience with backs who are sharp on audibles, etc., and then make a change."

If Matthews is lost for an extended period, the Boilermakers may not have a Pasadena prayer.

He hit up Illinois for 177 yards on 16 carries (11.1 average), giving him 560 for the season. With Matthews out, Purdue likely will rely more on Edwin Watson, who ran for his team-leading eighth touchdown Saturday.

"Kendall's a big key to this offense," quarterback Billy Dicken said. "There's going to be a lot of weight on Ed's shoulders now."

"If I have to carry the load, I have to carry the load," Watson said. "It won't be a problem."

Road kill.

Finally, a pothole-free road trip for Purdue's defense, which has had its problems away from Ross-Ade Stadium.

In their only two other road games, the Boilermakers lost (to Toledo) and gave up 43 points (to Minnesota).

"We got messed up a little bit at Toledo and Minnesota, and we had a lot of stuff to prove on the road," linebacker Mike Rose said. "We haven't played our best games on turf and on the road this year, so this game we wanted to show we could go out and play anywhere."

The Boilermakers collected seven sacks and seven turnovers. Rose scooped up two fumbles, running back one for a touchdown, and Adrian Beasley picked off a pair of passes.

"Wow, what a job on turnovers," Tiller said. "They knocked the ball out of there after the catch, during the catch and before the catch, making interceptions."

Catch of the day.

Brian Alford had a pair of highlight-film catches and a pair of touchdowns, giving him 28 for his career. That's a new school record, one better than Dave Young (1977-80).

"Just put it in the area and he'll catch it," Dicken said.