Tag: Boilermakers

Second-quarter burst carries No. 1 Ohio State past Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Julian Sayin threw for 303 yards and a touchdown to Jeremiah Smith, CJ Donaldson ran for two scores and No. 1 Ohio State overcame a rare early deficit to defeat Purdue 34-10 on Saturday at West Lafayette, Ind.

Trailing 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, the Buckeyes (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) scored 24 unanswered points in the second quarter as Sayin threw for 182 yards and a touchdown to Smith in the first half.

Sayin finished the day by completing 27 of 33 passes with an interception.

Playing without star receiver Carnell Tate, who was held out as a precautionary measure due to an undisclosed injury, Smith had seven of his career-high 10 catches. and 109 of his 137 yards. Before halftime.

Quarterbacks Ryan Browne and Malachi Singleton were held to a combined 94 passing yards for the Boilermakers (2-8, 0-7), who have lost eight straight games. Purdue had 186 total yards to 473 for Ohio State.

Donaldson rushed for a 1-yard score on the second play of the second quarter to give Ohio State a 7-3 lead before Sayin hit Smith with a 35-yard TD pass for a 14-3 lead with 7:18 remaining in the first half.

After the Buckeyes’ Jermaine Mathews Jr. intercepted Browne, they used eight runs and one pass, while eating up more than five minutes, to go 30 yards to the end zone. The scoring drive was capped by a 3-yard run by backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz.

Jayden Fielding added a career-long 49-yard field goal with three seconds left before halftime to give the Buckeyes a 24-3 lead.

Ohio State continued its ball control offense on the first series of the second half and went 68 yards to the 7 before Purdue’s CJ Nunnally intercepted off Sayin in the end zone. It was Sayin’s fourth interception of the season.

Cracks in the Ohio State offense showed again when a 13-yard sack of Sayin limited the Buckeyes to a 45-yard field goal by Fielding early in the fourth quarter for a 27-3 lead. The Buckeyes had the ball for 41 minutes in the game to 19 for the Boilermakers.

Ohio State’s lead was 34-3 when Purdue scored on a 7-yard pass from Singleton to Jesse Watson with 1:45 remaining.

–Field Level Media

Purdue top rusher Devin Mockobee undergoes season-ending surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devin Mockobee arrived at Purdue in 2022 as a walk-on running back. He ends his career fourth on the Boilermakers’ all-time rushing list.

Purdue coach Barry Odom announced Monday that the senior running back’s college career has ended a month early due to an ankle injury that required surgery.

“We were hoping we would get a little bit better news after they did that procedure on his ankle,” Odom said. “But, unfortunately, the injury he sustained, he’s played his last game here. I sure hate that because he is such a wonderful young man, a great leader of this program and a great representative of Purdue University.

Mockobee, who earned a scholarship after rushing for a team-high 968 yards and nine touchdowns as a freshman, produced 2,987 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground in 45 games. He also caught 86 passes for 839 yards and three scores.

Mockobee trails only Mike Alstott (3,635 yards), Kory Sheets (3,341) and Otis Armstrong (3,315) on Purdue’s career rushing list.

The Boonville, Ind., native, rated a two-star recruit despite running for 419 yards in a high school game as a senior, took to X to share his thoughts.

“I cannot express in words what this university and its people mean to me. And how grateful I am for the support that’s been around me in every facet of life to help me find success,” he wrote.

“For a kid like me, the career I’ve had was never supposed to be on the table. An under recruited kid who didn’t get looked at very much and took a chance and walked on to a division 1 program. Always told I was ‘too small’, ‘not fast enough’, or I didn’t ‘look the part’. Despite it all, I just decided to work.”

Mockobee injured his ankle Oct. 25 against Rutgers. His 521 rushing yards this season are 315 more than both Antonio Harris and Malachi Thomas, so there’s a good chance Mockobee will lead Purdue (2-7, 0-6 Big Ten) in rushing for the fourth year in a row.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Robert Fitzgerald (6) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Wildcats blank Boilermakers for first shutout in eight years

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Preston Stone passed for two touchdowns and the Northwestern Wildcats piled up 232 rushing yards to extend their winning streak to four games with a 19-0 Big Ten victory over Purdue on Saturday afternoon in Evanston, Ill.

Joseph Himon Jr. had 87 yards rushing — one of three Wildcats with at least 50 — and Northwestern (5-2, 3-1) posted its first shutout since a 39-0 home victory over Minnesota on Nov. 18, 2017.

Purdue (2-5, 0-4), which lost starting quarterback Ryan Browne to injury on the first play of the second half, has lost 13 straight Big Ten games since earning a 35-31 victory over Indiana for the Old Oaken Bucket in the final game of the 2023 season.

Northwestern dominated from the outset, scoring on its first three drives for a 13-0 lead. Jack Olsen’s 27-yard field goal capped a 14-play, 66-yard drive with the opening kickoff.

Stone’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Welcing concluded a 14-play, 74-yard drive two minutes into the second quarter. The Wildcats ran 28 of the game’s first 31 plays.

Olsen’s 38-yard field capped a 60-yard drive to make it 13-0 with 8:38 left in the first half. The Wildcats had 16 first downs and 203 total yards in the first half while Purdue had two first downs and 57 yards.

Purdue quarterback Malachi Singleton completed 11 of 20 passes for 187 yards and one interception after replacing Browne at the start of the second half. Browne, who was 5 of 10 for 31 yards, was averaging 256.8 yards passing per game.

Stone’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Griffin Wilde made it 19-0 with 4:01 left in the third quarter, the only scoring in the second half. The Wildcats finished with 364 total yards and 37 minutes, 39 seconds of possession.

Calen Komofale had 67 yards rushing and Dashun Reeder added 51 for the Wildcats, who average 190.1 rushing yards per game.

The Boilers drove inside Northwestern’s 30 three times in the second half, but they turned over the ball on downs all three times as they sought touchdowns instead of field goals to accelerate a potential comeback. Purdue recorded 248 of its 305 total yards in the second half.

The Wildcats’ last four-game winning streak was in 2023, when they won their last four.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) intercepts a pass for a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Streaks in the spotlight as Purdue meets Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Purdue enters Saturday afternoon’s game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., on a 12-game losing streak in Big Ten play.

Although he has presided over only four of those defeats — all in the past four games — Boilermakers’ first-year coach Barry Odom feels the urgency to stop the skid.

“We’ve got to do it, I’ve got to do it, we have to do it as a staff, and then our team has to go out and execute and find a way to win a close game,” Odom said. “We had a lead going into the fourth quarter (last Saturday); we have to win those games.”

The Boilermakers (2-4, 0-3) were outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter Saturday at Minnesota to turn a 20-13 lead into a 27-20 loss. The Golden Gophers scored the winning touchdown on Koi Perich’s 27-yard interception return with 7:40 to play, which came seven seconds after Minnesota tied the score.

One positive: A rushing attack that produced 253 of Purdue’s 456 total yards, led by Devin Mockobee’s 98 yards on 21 carries.

Now comes a test against Northwestern (4-2, 2-1), which is coming off a stout defensive effort during last week’s 22-21 victory at Penn State. The Wildcats limited the Nittany Lions to 274 yards — 137 on the ground — with linebacker Mac Uihlein leading Northwestern with 10 tackles.

Purdue, meanwhile, was even tougher against Minnesota, holding the hosts to 30 rushing yards. Linebacker Charles Correa ranks third in the conference in tackles with 55.

Northwestern’s first victory at Penn State since 2014 led to the firing of Nittany Lions coach James Franklin — and gave the Wildcats their first three-game winning streak since closing the 2023 season on a four-game run.

Still, Wildcats coach David Braun has cautioned players to maintain focus. Northwestern can’t increase its streak to four games by reflecting on previous victories.

“You wake up Sunday morning,” Braun said, “it’s time to get back to work. … And when you’re objective, there are glaring issues we need to get resolved. Right now.

“You can squeeze that enjoyment into that evening, but if you’re not on to the next step when you’re in the midst of a Big Ten schedule, you’re exposing yourself to a letdown in this league. There can’t be any letdowns.”

Running back Caleb Komolafe has piled up 266 yards and four touchdowns during the three-game winning streak while quarterback Preston Stone has thrown for five scores with no interceptions.

Wildcats kicker Jack Olsen, who connected on each of his three field-goal attempts at Penn State, earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Nitro Tuggle (0) celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter against the Southern Illinois Salukis at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Purdue’s 27 unanswered puts away Southern Illinois

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Devin Mockobee ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries Saturday night as Purdue surpassed its 2024 win total with a 34-17 decision over Southern Illinois in West Lafayette Ind.

Quarterback Ryan Browne added 170 yards in the air on 14 of 23 accuracy for the Boilermakers (2-0), throwing for two scores and tossing an interception. Purdue, which went 1-11 last year and lost the final 11 games, outrushed the Salukis 215-81 and controlled the ball for 36 minutes and 46 seconds.

Quarterback DJ Williams hit 20 of 33 passes for 202 yards with a touchdown and also rushed for a score. But Southern Illinois (1-1), which entered the game ranked 14th and 15th in the two major FCS polls, managed just a field goal after its two first quarter touchdowns.

The Boilermakers trailed 14-7 after Williams found backup tight end Ryan Schwendeman for a 4-yard scoring strike at the 5:08 mark of the first quarter but rattled off 27 unanswered points, using their size and depth advantages.

Browne connected with Nitro Tuggle for a game-tying 29-yard touchdown pass with 1:33 left in the opening quarter and Purdue took the lead for good on Spencer Porath’s 25-yard field goal with 10:41 remaining in the first half. Mockobee powered over from the 1 yard out with 1:21 on the clock before halftime for a 24-14 advantage.

Porath converted from 43 at the 6:15 mark of the third quarter to make it 27-14 and Mockobee ended the game’s competitive phase with his second 1-yard touchdown run with 11:48 left in the game. Paul Geelen added a 53-yard field goal with 7:41 remaining for the Salukis.

Looking for its third win in the last four years against an FBS opponent, Southern Illinois ripped 75 yards down the field on the game’s first drive, scoring on Williams’ 7-yard run at the 10:29 mark. Brown responded quickly, finding Arhmad Branch for a tying 13-yard touchdown pass with 6:34 remaining.

The Boilermakers excelled on third and fourth downs, converting a combined 11 of 17 in those situations.

–Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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