WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- After losing back-to-back home games to Western Michigan and to Illinois State to begin the 2016 season, Northwestern knew it would be pressed to qualify for a bowl game.But including Saturdays 45-17 victory at Purdue, the Wildcats (5-5, 4-3 Big Ten) are within one victory of bowl eligibility, having carved their path by posting a 3-1 record in conference road games.In addition to Purdue, they also have won at Iowa and at Michigan State.Clayton Thorson passed for a career-best 352 yards and three touchdowns, and Northwestern scored 31 second-half points on its way to an easy victory at Purdue (3-7, 1-6), which has lost five in a row by an average margin of 21.2 points.Thorson, who also ran for a touchdown, completed 23 of 36 passes, including five for 92 yards and two touchdowns to wide receiver Austin Carr, who tied the school single-season record with 12 TD receptions.Every time we came out in the second half, we were just licking our chops to get another good drive going, Carr said. We were clicking on all cylinders. And of course, a bowl is a huge motivator. We viewed these last three games as a three-game playoff.Austin Jackson rushed 22 times for 127 yards and a touchdown, and John Moten IV had 16 carries for 119 yards, marking the first time since Sept. 14, 2013 against Western Michigan that two Northwestern backs rushed for more than 100 yards in the same game.The receivers were getting open, but the offensive line was playing really well, Thorson said. There were only one or two times that I was rushed to even make a throw.Thorsons third touchdown pass -- a 42-yarder to Garrett Dickerson on the first play after an interception by linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. -- gave Northwestern a 28-10 lead with 11:13 remaining in the third quarter. The Wildcats steadily pulled away.Finishing with 605 yards of offense, Northwestern outscored Purdue 31-7 during the final 30 minutes.We didnt start the way we wanted, obviously, but you need to credit Purdue for that, Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. We knew we would get a fast start from them. We talked about the first series of the second half being really important. Obviously, depth is important, especially when you see a couple of their defensive starters out.Northwestern spotted Purdue a 10-0, first-quarter lead, then scored the opening halfs final 14 points to lead 14-10 through 30 minutes. Purdue lost its fifth in a row.The Wildcats extended their lead to 21-10 on Justin Jacksons 14-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 71-yard drive.We certainly are not happy with the second half result, Purdue interim coach Gerad Parker said. This isnt what the Purdue football program should be about, especially in our home stadium.Purdue quarterback David Blough completed 21 of 36 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted three times, setting up 17 Northwestern points.I simply missed my spot on the first interception, Blough said. Thats the frustrating part, and they capitalized. It hurts. All three of my turnovers led to points. We have not executed well, and it seems to happen at the same point in games. We have been in positions to have success in the second half, and we have not done it.TAKEAWAYS:Northwestern: Needing two victories in their final three games to become bowl eligible, the Wildcats scored touchdowns on each of their first four second-half drives and pulled away from the struggling Boilermakers. Northwestern gained 557 yards during the first three quarters.Purdue: Playing without their two best defenders -- Jake Replogle (concussion) and JaWhaun Bentley (leg) -- the Boilermakers defense was no match for Northwesterns balanced offense and fell to 0-15 in November games during the four most recent seasons.UP NEXT:Northwestern: The Wildcats travel to Minnesota on Nov. 19 for their final Big Ten road game.Purdue: The Boilermakers will play host to No. 7 Wisconsin on Nov. 19 in their final Big Ten home game.Cheap Air Max 270 Black . -- Canadian Andrew Wiggins got the ball on the wing, made a nifty spin move and then let go with a soft floater from about 10 feet that swished through the net in Allen Fieldhouse. Cheap Air Max 270 White . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. http://www.airmax720wholesale.com/ . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Air Max 2019 Release .35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. Cheap Air Max 2019 . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy.England lock Courtney Lawes is winning his battle with a knee injury and is expected to start Saturdays clash with South Africa at Twickenham.Lawes was a late withdrawal from two Northampton matches last month due to bruising on the joint and had been given until Tuesday to prove his fitness for the Old Mutual Wealth Series opener.But the 27-year-olds recovery has progressed well and he is set to resume his World Cup second-row partnership alongside Joe Launchbury in the injury-enforced absence of Maro Itoje and George Kruis. England vs South Africa November 12, 2016, 2:00pm Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass Courtney has taken part in training this morniing (Monday) and will take part in training this afternoon so we expect him to be fit, defence coach Paul Gustard said.dddddddddddd Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just £6.99. No contract. Mako Vunipola arrived at last weeks training camp in Portugal with a hip problem but that has also been resolved and England have a fully fit 34-man squad to select from for the Springboks.Mako has been training too. Were in a good state of health and ready to continue our preparations for South Africa, Gustard added.Watch England v South Africa live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 2pm. Catch all four of Englands Old Mutual Wealth Series fixtures for £25 with NOW TV. No contract.Also See:Beaumont sticks with EnglandBrown targets No 1 spotVunipola reveals NFL dreamJones, Itoje up for top awards ' ' '