Michigan State's Montorie Foster Jr., left, catches a touchdown as Purdue's Kyndrich Breedlove defends during the first quarter on Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Michigan State sends Purdue to 10th consecutive loss

Aidan Chiles completed 15 of 31 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns to help Michigan State earn a 24-17 win over Purdue on Friday in East Lansing, Mich.

Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams gained 85 yards on 18 carries for the Spartans (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten), who kept their hopes of bowl-eligibility alive. Nate Carter had touchdowns rushing and receiving as the Spartans ended a three-game losing streak.

Hudson Card went 26 of 46 passing for a season-high 342 yards for Purdue (1-10, 0-8), which has lost 10 straight. Card threw one touchdown pass and one interception.

Trailing by 21 at halftime, Purdue cut Michigan State’s lead to 24-10 with 5:49 remaining in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Devin Mockobee, which finished off a 10-play, 73-yard drive.

Purdue cut the deficit to 24-17 with 13:54 remaining in the game on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Card to Max Klare.

The Boilermakers had three drives to tie the game, but they ended on a punt, an interception and a turnover on downs at their own 47-yard line with more than three minutes remaining.

The Spartans then gained two first downs and ran out the clock.

Michigan State took a 17-3 lead with 7:50 left until halftime on a 3-yard touchdown run by Carter on third-and-goal.

The score was set up after Michigan State’s Maverick Hansen recovered a Boilermakers fumble at the Purdue 33-yard line.

With 41 seconds left until halftime, the Spartans grabbed a 24-3 lead on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Chiles to Carter, which capped off a 10-play, 84-yard drive.

Purdue took the opening kickoff and drove for a 40-yard field goal by Ben Freehill. Michigan State cashed in on its first drive, too, taking a 7-3 lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Chiles to Montorie Foster Jr.

The Spartans’ first march went 11 plays and 75 yards.

Michigan State then took a 10-3 lead with 12:07 remaining in the second quarter on a 43-yard field goal by Jonathan Kim.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA;  Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) runs with the ball in the first half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

No. 23 Illinois stops Purdue’s OT 2-point conversion attempt for 50-49 win

Linebacker Dylan Rosiek sacked Ryan Browne on a 2-point conversion attempt in overtime to lift No. 23 Illinois to a 50-49 Big Ten victory over Purdue on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill.

Illinois (5-1, 2-1) squandered a 24-point second-half lead as Purdue (1-5, 0-3) took its first lead with 46 seconds to play, but the Illini forced overtime on David Olano’s 38-yard field goal as time expired.

Once in overtime, Luke Altmyer hit Patrick Bryant for a 25-yard score on Illinois’ first play and Olano booted the extra point. Purdue scored on its second play — Arhmad Branch jogging in from 3 yards out on an end-around — and Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters called a timeout to set up the 2-point try.

Browne, who had been sacked just once all game, couldn’t elude Rosiek’s blitz and was dragged down at the 23-yard line. Illinois players stormed the field to collect the Cannon Trophy that Purdue possessed after winning the last four meetings.

Altmyer finished 20-of-34 for 379 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 60 yards and another score. Josh McCray added 78 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards and three scores as Illinois played without leading rusher Kaden Feagin.

Illinois built a 24-3 halftime lead as Browne, a redshirt freshman making his first start following Hudson Card’s injury, threw for just nine yards in the first half. But Browne responded with 288 passing yards and three touchdowns after halftime — along with 118 rushing yards for the game — as the Boilermakers rallied from a 27-3 third-quarter deficit.

Purdue’s comeback was fast-forwarded by scoring two touchdowns in an eight-second span. Browne completed a 53-yard bomb to Jahmal Edrine for the Boilers’ first touchdown in seven quarters. On the next snap from scrimmage, blitzing cornerback Nyland Green sacked Altmyer from the blind side and forced a fumble that defensive end Will Heldt scooped at Illinois’ 16 and raced into the end zone to make it 27-17 at the 7:35 mark of the third.

Illinois took a 40-28 lead on McCray’s 3-yard blast with 5:05 to play, but Purdue didn’t stop. Devin Mockobee dove over the goal line with a 2-yard score with 1:35 left as the Boilermakers cut the margin to 40-35. Then Purdue’s Leland Smith recovered the ensuing onside kick at Illinois’ 43, and Browne lobbed a play-action pass to Mockobee for a 13-yard score that gave Purdue a 43-40 edge with 46 seconds to play.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) throws during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Illinois 21-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Purdue looks to extend hex over No. 23 Illinois

Illinois has resided in the AP Top 25 for the past few weeks, is coming off a bye week and surely is looking forward to playing on its home field for the first time in a month.

Purdue has lost in each of the last four weeks by a combined 140 points, fired offensive coordinator Graham Harrell after a 10-point showing vs. Nebraska at home on Sept. 28 and has lost commitments from some top high school recruits.

This all sounds promising for No. 23 Illinois (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten), which enters Saturday afternoon’s conference game vs. Purdue (1-4, 0-2) in Champaign, Ill., as a double-digit favorite. However, recognize that everyone on both sides understands Purdue has beaten Illinois each of the last four years to maintain possession of the Purdue Cannon that goes to the yearly victor.

“Never had it, never saw it, never touched it, never smelled it,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “I’ve never been able to hold that Cannon, right? So until it’s in our hands, all we can do is talk about it and see pictures of it.”

Now, throw in the fact that Purdue head coach Ryan Walters served as Bielema’s defensive coordinator for two seasons before getting the top job for the Boilermakers in in December 2022 — and there will be no taking anybody lightly on Saturday.

“Obviously, (I have) a lot of respect for Ryan and his staff,” Bielema said. “I know a lot of those guys on a personal level. I think I know what this game is going to mean to them and to their players … and, hopefully, the best team wins on Saturday.”

“I expect them to come out guns blazing,” Walters said. “Last year didn’t go their way, so I’m sure that’s being replayed and reminded. I fully expect to get their best shot. They’ve had an extra week to prepare as well. Coach ‘B’ does a great job during bye weeks in presenting new wrinkles and new personnels, so I fully expect to see things we haven’t seen on tape yet.”

Purdue’s issues are all over the tape. Last week at Wisconsin, the Boilermakers surrendered 52 points and 589 yards. The Badgers outscored Purdue 31-0 in the second half.

“We are struggling to play from behind,” Walters said. “For some reason, it kind of snowballs when things don’t go our way. I’ve got to do a better job of giving them emotional answers of how to respond when we’re behind or when things aren’t going our way. Right now, when we get behind, we tend to hit the panic button, and there’s no need to.

“The main culprit Saturday was (our defensive backs’) eye discipline was awful,” Walters added. “We’re not getting the quarterback out of the pocket, either. He’s been able to sit back there and kind of wait. Then, when the ball’s in open space, there are angles to get the ball(carrier) down. And the technique with which we’re tackling was awful on Saturday. So that’s got to be addressed and has been addressed.”

For Illinois, Luke Altmyer has starred at quarterback this season, completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,047 yards, with 11 touchdowns against just one interception. His passing efficiency rating (164) ranks sixth in the Big Ten.

His counterpart, Hudson Card, is 71-for-112 (63.4 percent) for 738 yards, seven TDs and four picks.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters stands on the field during warm ups before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

After firing offensive coordinator, Purdue looks to right ship at Wisconsin

After consecutive blowout losses vs. ranked opponents, Wisconsin hopes to bounce back against visiting Purdue on Saturday in a matchup of Big Ten teams looking to get their season back on track in Madison, Wis.

Wisconsin (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) is coming off a 38-21 loss in their conference opener at 11th-ranked USC — a game in which the Badgers were outscored 28-0 in a disastrous second half.

Purdue (1-3, 0-1) lost its third straight game on Saturday, 28-10 at home against Nebraska. The next day, offensive coordinator Graham Harrell was fired. Offensive analyst Jason Simmons will take over play-calling duties, coach Ryan Walters said Monday.

“I believe that we have a better team than we have been showing the last three weeks,” Walters said. “There is a lot of football still to be played. We’ve played a quarter of the games, and I felt like if I didn’t do anything right now, it would be kind of like waving a white flag on the season.”

Purdue opened with a 49-0 rout of Indiana State, then was hammered 66-7 by No. 14 Notre Dame and lost at Oregon State, 38-21. After a scoreless first half against Nebraska, Purdue went up 3-0, only to see the Cornhuskers respond with 28 straight points.

For its part, Wisconsin opened with unimpressive victories over Western Michigan and South Dakota, then was trounced at home by now top-ranked Alabama 42-10.

Against USC, the Badgers opened the second-half floodgates with a muffed punt that set up a touchdown. The Trojans punctuated the comeback with a pick-six off Braedyn Locke.

Wisconsin’s defense couldn’t get off the field against the Trojans, who were 11 of 17 on third-down conversions and dominated time of possession, 40:07 to 19:53.

Locke, a redshirt sophomore, has taken over for Tyler Van Dyke, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Alabama. Locke, who started three games last season in place of injured Tanner Mordecai, completed 13 of 26 passes for 180 yards against USC with one touchdown and one interception.

Chez Mellusi leads the ground game with 232 yards at 4.1 per carry with three touchdowns.

“We’re just not to the point right now where if we’re not playing well defensively, well, that’s OK because our offense is going outscore them,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said Monday. “And if we’re not playing well offensively, our defense will go out there and we’ll shut them out. We’re just not to that point.”

The Boilermakers have averaged just 12.7 points over their last three games. Hudson Card has completed 65.9 percent of his passes at 156.8 yards per game with seven touchdowns and four interceptions on the season.

Devin Mockobee is Purdue’s leading rusher with 317 yards on 49 carries. Purdue managed just 50 yards on the ground vs. Nebraska, averaging a paltry 1.6 per carry.

Wisconsin has won 17 straight vs. the Boilermakers. Purdue’s last win was at Camp Randall in Madison, a 26-23 victory in 2003. The Badgers won last season at Purdue, 38-17.

–Field Level Media

Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Arhmad Branch (6) talks to Purdue Boilermakers offensive coordinator Graham Harrell Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, during Purdue football practice at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue fires offensive coordinator Graham Harrell

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters needed just three games to know he needed to make a change.

On Sunday, he made that change, firing offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Graham Harrell.

“Decisions like this are never easy,” Walters said in a statement. “After evaluating our start to the season, I felt that it was best for our team to make a change now. We are appreciative of Graham’s contributions to our program and wish him the best going forward.”

The Boilermakers lost 28-10 to Nebraska a day earlier, scoring their lone touchdown with a minute and a half left in the game. The loss was their third straight and dropped them to 1-3 this season.

After beating FCS team Indiana State in the season opener, Purdue lost 66-7 at home to Notre Dame on Sept. 14 then fell at Oregon State 38-21 before the loss to the Cornhuskers.

Texas transfer quarterback Hudson Card, who joined Purdue when the school hired Harrell prior to last season, has yet to pass for 200 yards against an FBS team this season. The Boilermakers’ 172.2 passing yards per game are 110th in the FBS. Purdue is tied for 105th in the FBS at 21.8 points per game and its 149.8 rushing yards per game are 79th.

The team has yet to announce any plans for offensive coordinator going forward.

Harrell, 39, reportedly has two years remaining on his three-year contract and is still owed just under $2 million.

He played under the late Mike Leach at Texas Tech from 2005-08, leaving school as the NCAA’s all-time leader in touchdown passes with 134. He was also second in career passing yards (15,793). He finished fourth in Heisman voting his senior season.

Prior to joining Purdue, Harrell was the offensive coordinator at West Virginia for the 2022 season and served in the same position at USC from 2019-21.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Jaron Tibbs (13) cannot catch a pass against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Ceyair Wright (15) during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Nebraska uses second-half momentum to roll past Purdue

Dylan Raiola went 17-of-27 passing for 257 yards and a touchdown to lead Nebraska to a 28-10 win at Purdue in a Big Ten contest on Saturday at West Lafayette, Ind.

Nebraska (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) limited Purdue (1-3, 0-1) to 224 yards of total offense.

Hudson Card went 18-of-25 passing with a touchdown and an interception in defeat for Purdue, which had 13 penalties for 165 yards.

Trailing 3-0 in the third quarter, Nebraska scored four consecutive touchdowns to pull away.

Nebraska drove 70 yards in nine plays and grabbed a 7-3 lead on a 6-yard touchdown pass from Raiola to Jahmal Banks with 2:49 left in the third quarter.

Earlyin the fourth quarter, the Cornhuskers gambled on fourth down and it paid off, as Dante Dowdell scored from the 1-yard line with 10:34 left in the game to give Nebraska a 14-3 lead.

With 6:13 remaining, Nebraska took a 21-3 lead on a 25-yard touchdown run by Jacory Barney Jr.

John Bullock then picked off a pass from Card and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown to put Nebraska ahead 28-3 with 5:38 left.

Purdue’s only touchdown came when Card hit Leland Smith for a 15-yard score with 1:29 remaining.

After a scoreless first half, Purdue drove the field on the first possession of the second half and took a 3-0 lead on a 45-yard field goal by Spencer Porath. The kick finished off a 13-play, 55-yard drive that took 8:08 off of the clock.

Each team had opportunities to score in the first half, but couldn’t cash in. Nebraska kicker Josh Hohl missed a 42-yard field goal, and on the ensuing possession, Porath missed a 39-yard field goal for the Boilermakers.

Purdue thought it had scored a touchdown in the second quarter when Card hit Jaron Tibbs for a 51-yard touchdown pass, but the play was called back when officials ruled Card was across the line of scrimmage when he threw the pass.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Oregon State Beavers linebacker Zakaih Saez (10) intercepts a pass for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Oregon State leans on rushing attack to beat Purdue

Jam Griffin rushed for 137 yards on 22 carries with a touchdown in Oregon State’s 38-21 victory Saturday night over Purdue at Corvallis, Ore.

Anthony Hankerson had 89 yards and two touchdowns on 20 rushes for the Beavers (3-1).

Oregon State finished with 341 rushing yards as part of its 445 yards of total offense.
Purdue (1-2) rushed for 263 yards, led by Devin Mockobee’s 168 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown, but the Boilermakers mustered only 56 passing yards.

Hudson Card, formerly of Texas, completed 7 of 17 passes for the Boilermakers.

Gevani McCoy passed for 104 yards for Oregon State while completing 10 of 18 pass attempts. He also rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries.

Zakaih Saez of Oregon State started the scoring with a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown with 7:37 left in the first quarter.

Purdue then had a three-and-out that was followed by Oregon State’s 12-play, 71-yard drive that took 7:34 off the clock.

Hankerson capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run with 14:14 left in the second quarter that gave Oregon State a 14-0 lead.

Purdue suffered a turnover on downs in its next possession after driving to the Oregon State 13. Reggie Love III was stopped for a 1-yard gain when he needed 2 for the first down.

After Oregon State had a three-and-out, Purdue went 47 yards in two plays, culminating with Card’s 32-yard touchdown pass to Max Klare, cutting the lead to 14-7 with 6:30 remaining to halftime.

Oregon State’s lead increased to 24-7 with 50 seconds left in the third quarter after Zachary Card (no relation to Hudson Card) ran 26 yards for a touchdown.

The teams each scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter with Oregon State answering both of Purdue’s scores.

After Love’s 2-yard scoring run with 12:49 left cut the lead to 24-14, Oregon State responded with a 75-yard drive that was capped by Griffin’s 14-yard touchdown run.

Mockobee then scored on a 3-yard run that completed a 75-yard drive that cut the Beavers’ lead to 31-21 with 6:59 remaining.

The Beavers answered again on Hankerson’s 12-yard touchdown run with 1:53 left.
Oregon State drove 42 yards for that score after Purdue’s failed onside kick attempt.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) drags Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) into the end zone on a touchdown during the first quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

No. 18 Notre Dame rolls to 66-7 win over Purdue

Riley Leonard rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns, Jeremiyah Love rushed for 109 yards and another score, and No. 18 Notre Dame cruised to a 66-7 win over Purdue on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind.

Jadarian Price and Kenny Minchey also rushed for a touchdown for Notre Dame (2-1), which bounced back from a stunning loss against Northern Illinois one week earlier. Leonard completed 11 of 16 passes for 112 yards before he gave way to backup Steve Angeli, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Hudson Card completed 11 of 24 passes for 124 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for Purdue (1-1).

Notre Dame posted its highest point total since Sept. 14, 2019, when it tallied a 66-14 home win against New Mexico.

Leonard also joined rare company in the blowout. He became the first FBS player with 100-plus passing yards, 100-plus rushing yards and three-plus rushing touchdowns in a half since Lamar Jackson did it for Louisville against Syracuse on Sept. 9, 2016.

The Fighting Irish raced to a 42-0 lead at halftime.

Love and Leonard notched one rushing touchdown apiece in the first quarter. Love scored on a 48-yard sprint and Leonard scored from 3 yards out to cap an 82-yard drive.

Notre Dame added four more touchdowns in the second quarter.

Leonard scored on back-to-back touchdown runs of 34 yards and 13 yards, respectively, to give the Fighting Irish a 28-0 advantage.

On the next drive, Card was intercepted by Notre Dame’s Boubacar Traore, who returned it 34 yards for a touchdown.

Price added a 70-yard rushing score for Notre Dame with four seconds left in the half.

Angeli got a chance to play in the second half, and he quickly took advantage. He connected with Cooper Flanagan for a 28-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter.

Purdue got on the scoreboard when Card found De’Nylon Morrissette for a 5-yard touchdown with 9:33 remaining in the third quarter.

A 42-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter made it 52-7 on the next possession.

In the fourth quarter, Angeli hit Kevin Bauman for an 8-yard score, and third-string quarterback Kenny Minchey rushed for a 5-yard touchdown.

–Field Level Media

Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) holds onto a football Wednesday, July 31, 2024, during Purdue football practice at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue calling on QB Hudson Card to extend domination of Indiana State

Purdue will host Indiana State on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind., in the season opener for both teams as they face each other for the second time in three years.

Purdue easily won the most recent meeting, 56-0 in 2022, and leads the all-time series 6-0.

The Boilermakers went only 4-8 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten last season but still should have an easy time with Indiana State, which finished 1-10 (1-7 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference).

The Sycamores have just three wins in the past two seasons, and two came against winless Western Illinois.

Indiana State coach Curt Mallory said he believes his offensive line is stronger than last season, which will have to be the case if the Sycamores hope to stay in Saturday’s game.

“I don’t think there’s a group on this team that works harder,” Mallory said. “And that gives you a chance.”

Indiana State has nine wins all-time against FBS programs, although it’s never beaten a member of the Big Ten. Purdue is 13-0 all-time against the FCS, and the Boilermakers believe they should be improved in Ryan Walters’ second year as head coach.

“I just think we’re in a much better place,” Walters said. “I look back to this time a year ago, knowing what I know now, and seeing what we’re seeing in front of us now, and it’s like, yeah, it’s not close.”

The biggest concern for the Boilermakers is whether they can get improvement out of quarterback Hudson Card.

Card offered decent play last year but didn’t take enough chances downfield. He appeared in 11 games, completing 215 of 365 passes for 2,387 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Card had two interceptions in 201 pass attempts prior to last season.

The Boilermakers imported a pair of receivers from Georgia in CJ Smith and De’Nylon Morrissette, a pair that should give Card the weapons he needs to make Purdue’s offense more vertical.

“I think Hudson is a way different beast. Last year we kind of didn’t have the right pieces around him, but now he’s more confident, more vocal in the locker room. He’s just turned up this year,” sophomore wide receiver Jaron Tibbs said.

The Boilermakers’ biggest strength is in the trenches with four starters back on the offensive line. Purdue also has talented tailback Devin Mockobee, who rushed for 807 yards and six touchdowns on 172 carries last season.

–Field Level Media

Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) scores a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Michigan Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.

No. 3 Michigan mauls Purdue, 41-13

J.J. McCarthy threw for 335 yards to lead No. 3 Michigan to a 41-13 home win over Purdue in a Big Ten affair on Saturday.

Roman Wilson caught nine passes for 143 yards and Blake Corum rushed for three touchdowns for Michigan (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten). McCarthy finished 24-of-37 passing.

Purdue (2-7, 1-5) lost for the fourth straight time.

Michigan’s defense dominated throughout the night, limiting Purdue to six first downs and less than 200 yards of total offense before Purdue put together four first downs and a 75-yard drive in the final minutes when the outcome was already decided.

Michigan scored on its first possession of the game, going 76 yards in six plays and taking a 7-0 lead with 10:30 to go in the first quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Corum.

Corum then scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 6:05 left in the first to finish off a 7-play, 67-yard drive and give Michigan a 14-0 lead.

James Turner hit a pair of field goals, the latter to give Michigan a 20-0 lead in the second quarter. Purdue cut its deficit to 20-6 on two field goals by Ben Freehill, the second of which came with 29 seconds left until halftime.

With 3:12 to go in the third quarter, the Wolverines took a 27-6 lead on a 44-yard touchdown run by Semaj Morgan.

Corum then scored his third touchdown of the game, this time from 3 yards out to give Michigan a 34-6 lead with 14:18 remaining.

Michigan made it 41-6 with 4:30 left on a 1-yard touchdown run by Donovan Edwards before Purdue scored its first touchdown with 18 seconds remaining on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Hudson Card to Deion Burks. Card finished 12-for-28 for 144 yards, the TD pass and an interception.

The Boilermakers were 1 of 14 on third-down conversions, while Michigan was 7 of 14.

–Field Level Media