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UNIVERSITY PARK -- The words "must win" weren't uttered too loudly within the Penn State locker room over the last two weeks, but this game definitely was.
Win and a frustrating four-game Big Ten losing streak was over.
Lose and what little enthusiasm about Matt Campbell's inaugural campaign would be drained as more setbacks were likely to follow.
And they still might.
For now, though, the Nittany Lions put a tourniquet on their season, handling Purdue, 31-17, Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.
Campbell was asked if he was relieved, and he wouldn't go quite that far, but he thought the Lions finally showed signs of becoming "a real team."
With an extra week to prepare, the coaching staff went back to basics -- stressing more physicality that had been severely lacking.
He said "the two things we went to work on the last two weeks were running the ball and stopping the run."
Both showed marked improvement as the Lions outrushed Purdue 269-33, which allowed them to control the game.
Cam Wallace emerged as the new go-to back, gaining 135 yards to go with Carson Hanson's 96. The two combined to average 5.9 yards on 39 carries.
"We needed that," quarterback Rocco Becht said of the run game.
Becht and Penn State's passing game still need work -- as do the special teams, which took a step backwards -- and both units benefitted from a defense that turned in its most complete performance of the season.
The defense forced five punts and made two interceptions.
It credited the offense, which kept the ball for 43 minutes and limited Purdue to a mere 44 plays.
"It was almost frustrating as a defense because you want to be out there," linebacker Kooper Ebel said with a smile. "We had fresh legs. Credit to our offense. They made it easy on us."
Purdue came in the No. 8 offense in the Big Ten and typically has a dangerous passing attack, but the Lions rattled quarterback Ryan Browne with more pressure than they've shown all year.
In addition to the two interceptions, the Lions had six quarterback hurries.
"The pass rush was a big emphasis," defensive tackle Armstrong Nnodim said. "We sat down, and it was a look at yourself in the mirror (moment)."
Campbell said he noticed an intensity, a belief, during and after the loss to Michigan that he thinks has carried over.
"At Michigan, I saw this group respond, and to me, it gained some momentum for itself," he said.
Previously, in losses to Wisconsin, Northwestern and USC, that resolve was missing, he admitted.
"I felt at different times in the second half of a couple of these games, when things were going against us, we folded," he said. "We didn't have the ability to respond, for whatever reason, whether it was coaching or whatever."
Granted, this was only Purdue, but Penn State (now 4-4) has reached a point where it can't be picky about its victims.
It's not been an easy debut season for Campbell, but he's maintained an even keel of trying not to get too low or high and is emphasizing positive leadership.
"We'll see if we can build on it," he said. "This senior class has been through a lot, no matter how you slice it. Whether they came here or they stayed here, it's been a lot of change. The reason why we're sitting here today in late October, ready to get to November, and you have a tough four-game losing streak, and some of those games you have every opportunity to win and you don't, this group has never wavered.
"They haven't … whined or complained. They've just gone to work and tried like heck to correct the areas and grow themselves forward. I wouldn't say everybody in that locker room has done it, but I'd say the vast majority has."
Saturday, the Lions overcame the absence of their top two receivers, Koby Howard and Chase Sowell (who was a late addition to the injury report), in addition to a so-so atmosphere that saw thousands of empty seats.
Campbell, though, opened his post-game presser by tipping his ever-present cap.
"I thought, man, the energy in that stadium for our football team was awesome," he said. "I really can't thank them enough."
Those on hand were rewarded, and a renewed sense of optimism permeated the Nits' camp.
"It feels good to get a dub," tight end Andrew Rappleyea said. "It's a good day."
One that sure beats the alternative.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.