Tag: purdue boilermakers

Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) is tackled during the second quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Braedyn Locke passes Wisconsin to 18th straight win over Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Braedyn Locke passed for three touchdowns and Tawee Walker ran for three more as the Wisconsin Badgers dominated visiting Purdue, 52-6, for their 18th consecutive victory over the Boilermakers in a Big Ten matchup Saturday.

Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) bounced back after lopsided losses to now top-ranked Alabama and No. 11 USC. The Badgers had 589 total yards to 216 for Purdue (1-4, 0-2 Big Ten), which lost its fourth straight game.

Locke, who became the starter after Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee injury against Alabama, completed 20 of 31 passes for 359 yards with two interceptions. Walker, taking over the workload after leading rusher Chez Mellusi left the team this week for health reasons, ran for 94 yards on 19 carries.

Walker’s 1-yard run with nine seconds left in the half, followed by Locke’s 69-yard touchdown pass to Trech Kekahuna on the opening series of the third quarter put the Badgers up 28-6.

Locke hit Kekahuna with a 25-yard scoring strike to cap a nine-play, 98-yard drive on Wisconsin’s next possession to make it 35-6. Walker added a 17-yard touchdown run and Cade Yacamelli scored on a 30-yarder. Nathanial Vakos capped the scoring with a 26-yard field goal.

The loss capped a week of upheaval for Purdue, which has not beaten Wisconsin since 2003. Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell was fired earlier in the week and starting cornerback Markevious Brown was not with the team due to a “personal matter,” but was expected back next season, the school announced before the game.

Wisconsin recovered a muffed punt at the Purdue 12-yard line to set up its first score. On the following play, Walker went off the right side to put the Badgers up 7-0 with 8:04 left in the first quarter.

The Badgers extended the lead to 14-0 on their next possession on a 52-yard touchdown pass from Locke to Vinny Anthony II. The Boilermakers helped the 91-yard drive with a pair of 15-yard penalties.

Kyndrich Breedlove intercepted Locke twice in the second quarter, but the Boilermakers settled for field goals of 21 and 23 yards by Spencer Forath to pull within 14-6.

Wisconsin responded with an 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive to go up 21-6 at the half. Locke hit CJ Williams with a 19-yard pass to set up Walker’s 1-yard plunge.

–Field Level Media

Oregon State Beavers quarterback Gevani McCoy (4) warms up before the annual rivalry game against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

Purdue, Oregon State try to move on from ugly losses

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Purdue and Oregon State will both try to bounce back from last weekend’s lopsided home losses against in-state opponents when they meet Saturday in a nonconference clash in Corvallis, Ore.

The Beavers (2-1) fell 49-14 to No. 9 Oregon and the Boilermakers (1-1) were pounded 66-7 by then-No. 18 Notre Dame.

The 59-point loss was the worst in Purdue’s history.

“We had a very candid conversation about it,” Boilermakers coach Ryan Walters said of meeting with his players. “The fact, right now, is that we are a 1-1 football team that has lost to a ranked, nonconference opponent. But the fact, also, is that … we have to own the worst loss in program history. That falls on my shoulders.”

Purdue mustered only six first downs and 162 yards of total offense compared to Notre Dame’s 27 and 578. The Boilermakers were outgained 362-38 on the ground.

Reggie Love III had 10 carries for 61 yards and Hudson Card completed 11 of 24 passes for 124 yards with one TD and two interceptions against the Fighting Irish.

A silver lining for Oregon State in its loss to the rival Ducks was quarterback Gevani McCoy rushing for a season-best 52 yards on six carries and completing a season-high 22 passes for 172 yards with no touchdowns or picks.

Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel threw only four incompletions (20 of 24) and had 291 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

“We were either giving them too much respect or playing too soft in coverage,” Oregon State coach Trent Bray said. “Basic fundamental techniques weren’t there when they have been all year. We’ve got to go out there (and) execute, especially in those big moments.”

Oregon State is one of the most inexperienced teams in the nation, with 18 players making their first start this season.

Oregon State and Purdue have met just twice previously, with both matchups taking place in West Lafayette, Ind. The Beavers won 22-14 in 1967 but lost 30-21 to the Boilermakers in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Northern Illinois Huskies kicker Kanon Woodill kicks the game winning field goal in the fourth quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

After ‘lowest of lows,’ No. 18 Notre Dame bids to turn back Purdue

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A week after suffering a humiliating home-field loss to Northern Illinois, No. 18 Notre Dame will look to regain its footing when it visits Purdue on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind.

Notre Dame (1-1) tumbled 13 spots in the AP Top 25 poll after losing to the Huskies, who entered last weekend’s matchup as a four-touchdown underdog. The Fighting Irish dropped a 16-14 decision after kicker Mitch Jeter’s last-gasp, 62-yard field goal attempt was blocked as time expired.

Now the Fighting Irish turn their attention to Purdue (1-0), which cruised to a 49-0 win over Indiana State in its season opener.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman will try to keep his players focused on the task ahead as they take on the Boilermakers. Just recently, Freeman was celebrating his team after a road win against Texas A&M.

“It’s disappointing,” Freeman said. “You go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a tale of two weeks. But we’ve got to own this thing. As coaches and players, we’ve got to own it, and we’ve got to fix it.

“We’ve been here before, right? We’ve been here before. Now it’s time to get it fixed. We’ve got to get it fixed and get back to playing football the way we know how to play, (the way) we’ve played before. And we can, and we will.”

On the other side of the field, Purdue coach Ryan Walters also senses an opportunity with Saturday’s showdown. The Boilermakers had a bye last week, which gave them extra time to prepare for an in-state rival that long has landed top recruits and dominated headlines in the region.

Walters knows Purdue stands much to gain from an upset win.

“Yeah, I definitely think there is an element of proving it or earning respect,” Walters said. “You know, I would be lying to you if I didn’t say this game was circled on my calendar. So we’re excited.”

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card completed 24 of 25 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns in his season debut. Max Klare was the top target with five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, while Devin Mockobee led the ground game with 11 carries for 89 yards.

On defense, Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt tallied a pair of sacks.

The Notre Dame player in the brightest spotlight will be quarterback Riley Leonard, who has completed 38 of 62 passes for 321 yards and two interceptions this season. He also has rushed for 79 yards and a score.

Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love could help to take some of the burden off Leonard and the rest of the offense. Love has scored in back-to-back games, and he has 25 carries for 170 yards to lead the team.

Howard Cross III leads Notre Dame with one sack, and Xavier Watts and Adon Shuler have one interception apiece.

Walters said he expected Notre Dame to be motivated at kickoff.

“We’re going to err on the side of thinking they’re going to be an angry football team,” he said. “Any time you’re top five in the country and lose the home opener, that’s going to leave a bad taste in your mouth. I know Coach Freeman will have those guys fired up and ready to play.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) hands the ball off to Purdue Boilermakers running back Reggie Love III (23) during warm ups before the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

QB Hudson Card deals as Purdue routs Indiana State 42-0

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Purdue quarterback Hudson Card was almost perfect as he racked up four touchdown passes in the Boilermakers’ 42-0 win against Indiana State during the season opener for both teams on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue notched a first down on each of its first three plays, Card connected on his first seven passes and was 24-for-25 for 273 yards before being relieved at 3:42 of the third quarter.

Purdue Devin Mockobee had 11 carries for 89 rushing yards and Elijah Jackson had three carries for 83 yards and a touchdown.

FCS member Indiana State had just 154 yards of total offense while Purdue poured it on with 583 total yards.

On Purdue’s first possession, Card capped an eight play, 55-yard drive when he found Max Klare from 9 yards out in the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

On Purdue’s next possession, Indiana State had a moment to savor when linebacker Maddix Blackwell forced a fumble by Purdue’s Drew Biber that was recovered by Garret Ollendieck deep into Sycamores territory at 4:07 in the first quarter.

Purdue was back at it late in the opening quarter and a quick out pass from Card to Jaron Tibbs led to an 8-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Purdue lead early in the second period.

A 37-yard run by Mockobee on a draw play set up Card to find a wide open De’Nylon Morrissette in the corner of the end zone for a 21-0 lead Purdue held into halftime.

Indiana State had 98 yards of offense in the first half and missed a 45-yard field goal as time expired before the half. Purdue opened the third quarter with its longest drive of the game which covered 68 yards in nine plays and culminated in a 6-yard run by Reggie Love for a 28-0 lead.

The Purdue defense forced its second three-and out on the next possession.

Back-to-back catches for Leland Smith led to a 31-yard score on a fade route and gave Purdue a 35-0 lead. A fourth-quarter run through a huge hole in the line by Elijah Jackson led to a 69-yard touchdown to give Purdue a 42-0 lead.

Jaheim Merriweather barreled into the end zone from 4 yards out to extend the Boilermakers’ lead to 49-0 with just under two minutes remaining.

-Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Cam Allen (10) intercepts a pass intended for Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Andison Coby (0) during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue stays resilient, gets past Indiana 35-31

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Hudson Card went 21-of-34 passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns to lead Purdue to a 35-31 home win over Indiana on Saturday.

Card also rushed for 85 yards on 12 carries with another TD to help Purdue (4-8, 3-6) win the Old Oaken Bucket for the fifth time in the last six years.

Brendan Sorsby went 17 of 31 for 226 yards, three TDs and three interceptions for Indiana (3-9, 1-8).

Trailing for all but a 12-second stretch in the game, Purdue went on top for good with 2:39 remaining when Card scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to give the Boilermakers a 35-31 advantage.

Indiana drove to the Purdue 35-yard line but was stopped on downs with 1:17 remaining and the Boilermakers were able to run out the clock.

Trailing 28-18 going into the fourth quarter, Purdue cut the deficit to 28-25 with 14:53 remaining on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Card to Devin Mockobee.

On the first drive of the third quarter, Purdue took a 15-14 lead with 13:14 to go in the third after a 33-yard field goal by Ben Freehill.

But Indiana had an immediate answer when Jaylin Lucas returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to give the Hoosiers a 21-15 lead.

Following a 44-yard field goal by Freehill that cut Indiana’s lead to 21-18 with 10:37 left in the third. Indiana then took a 28-18 lead on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Sorsby to Josh Henderson with 1:43 left in the third quarter.

Indiana took a 7-0 lead with 34 seconds remaining in the first quarter on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Brendan Sorsby to DeQuece Carter.

Purdue cut the Indiana lead to 7-6 with 12:07 left in the second quarter on a 33-yard touchdown pass from Card to George Burhenn. The extra point failed.

With 8:59 left in the second quarter, the Hoosiers took a 14-6 lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Sorsby to Donaven McCulley.

Purdue then made it 14-12 with 12 seconds to go in the first half after a 16-yard touchdown pass from Card to Drew Biber. The 2-point conversion failed.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers tight end Garrett Miller (88) is tripped up by Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Jaheem Joseph (3) after a pass reception in the second quarter at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Northwestern takes down Purdue, becomes bowl eligible

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Cam Porter rushed for two touchdowns as Northwestern never trailed and became bowl-eligible with a 23-15 victory over Purdue on Saturday at Evanston, Ill.

The Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) won consecutive games for the first time this season and clinched their bowl appearance two days after removing the interim tag from coach David Braun.

Porter rushed for two TDs for the second time in his career and first instance since Dec. 12, 2020 against Illinois. He easily scored a 7-yard TD a little less three minutes in and then had a 34-yard TD run early in the fourth that helped Northwestern clinch the win.

Porter finished with a season-best 95 yards on 17 carries as Northwestern won despite being outgained 439-329 and holding possession for 25:17 to 34:43 for Purdue.

Northwestern’s Ben Bryant completed 13 of 24 passes for 230 yards in his second game back from an upper-body injury. He threw his only TD to Cam Johnson, whose 52-yard reception helped the Wildcats start to pull away at 16-7 in the third quarter.

Northwestern also clinched their bowl berth on the strength of a defense that dominated at times. The Wildcats forced four turnovers, including an interception by Xander Mueller with 21 seconds left to protect an eight-point lead as Purdue moved past midfield.

Northwestern also got five of its six sacks in the first half and registered eight tackles for losses.

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card was a late scratch due to an injury and Ryan Browne and Bennett Meredith split time for the Boilermakers (3-8, 2-6). Browne took the majority of the snaps and was 12 of 16 for 104 yards while also handing off frequently to Tyrone Tracy Jr., who rushed for 160 yards.

Northwestern scored on the fourth play of its opening drive when Porter ran in untouched. After missing the two-point conversion, Northwestern’s defense stopped Purdue four times at the goal line before forcing two turnovers late in the first half.

With 9:05 left in the third, Northwestern’s Grayson Metz recovered a muffed punt at the Purdue 21 and the Wildcats capitalized by getting a 30-yard field goal from Jack Olsen with 7:38 left.

Purdue scored when Tracy powered his way into the end zone with 3:59 left but nearly two minutes later Johnson outraced Cam Allen and linebacker Kydran Jenkins for a 16-7 lead and Porter got his second TD with 12:08 to go.

Devin Mockobee’s 2-yard TD and subsequent two-point conversion got Purdue within 23-15 with 3:06 remaining and Purdue got to the Northwestern 34 before Browne was intercepted for the second time.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers wide receiver Deion Burks (4) celebrates with tight end George Burhenn (81) and wide receiver Jaron Tibbs (13) after scoring a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue rolls past Minnesota to end losing skid

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Hudson Card passed for three touchdowns, rushed for one and Purdue pulled away for a 49-30 win over visiting Minnesota in a Big Ten Conference matchup Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind.

Card completed 17 of 25 passes for 251 yards and three scores for Purdue (3-7, 2-5), which snapped a four-game losing streak and won for the first time since Sept. 30 against Illinois.

The Boilermakers’ Devin Mockobee finished with a game-high 153 rushing yards and a touchdown, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. finished with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Purdue gained 353 yards on the ground.

Athan Kaliakmanis completed 18 of 42 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns for Minnesota (5-5, 3-4), which missed a chance to secure bowl eligibility for the second week in a row. Chris Autman-Bell, Brevyn Spann-Ford and Elijah Spencer had one touchdown catch apiece for the Golden Gophers.

Six players found the end zone for Purdue. Tracy, Card and Mockobee combined for four touchdowns on the ground. Deion Burks, Garrett Miller and T.J. Sheffield caught one touchdown pass apiece.

Purdue outgained Minnesota 604-407 in total yards.

The Boilermakers led 28-20 at halftime and outscored Minnesota 21-10 in the second half.

Minnesota opened the scoring on its first possession. Spann-Ford caught a 20-yard touchdown pass.

On the next drive, Card hit Miller for a 20-yard touchdown to even the score.

After Minnesota made a field goal, Purdue grabbed a 14-10 lead with 1:05 remaining in the first quarter. Card found Sheffield for a 24-yard touchdown.

Another Golden Gophers field goal cut the deficit to one point.

Purdue surged with back-to-back touchdowns to grab a 28-13 lead late in the first half. Tracy scored on an 8-yard run and Card scored on a 1-yard run.

Minnesota pulled within 28-20 with 16 seconds to go before halftime. Autman-Bell caught a 27-yard pass for his first touchdown of the season.

Burks caught a 42-yard touchdown pass for the only score of the third quarter. That increased Purdue’s lead to 35-20.

Mockobee made it 42-20 with a 6-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Minnesota settled for a field goal to pull within 42-23 with 10:38 to play.

Tracy tallied his second rushing touchdown, this time from 1 yard out, with 5:13 remaining.

Spencer capped the scoring for Minnesota with a 4-yard touchdown catch with 2:37 to go.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Chris Collins (13) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota meets Purdue again chasing bowl eligibility

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After a heartbreaking loss, Minnesota once again will try to become bowl eligible when it visits Purdue on Saturday afternoon in a Big Ten Conference matchup in West Lafayette, Ind.

Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) is coming off a 27-26 defeat at home to Illinois last week. The Golden Gophers led in the final minutes before Illinois’ backup quarterback John Paddock entered the game in the final drive and completed all three of his passes, including one for a game-winning touchdown.

Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck said his players could learn from the setback.

“We’ve got to play an entire game,” Fleck said. “And the whole thing with this team is, to this day, nine games in, and we still have not played a complete complementary football game yet.”

They will get another chance against Purdue (2-7, 1-5), which is mired in a four-game losing streak. The Boilermakers are coming off a 41-13 loss on the road against No. 3 Michigan.

Five of Purdue’s seven losses have come by double digits.

Boilermakers coach Ryan Walters acknowledged that his team has been eliminated from bowl contention, but he said there still is plenty of meaning in the remaining games.

“Everybody can count to six, right?” Walters said. “So the path to postseason play is not there. It breaks my heart for the seniors, the guys that have exhausted eligibility and this will be their last season.

“The message to the team (this week) was, ‘This is like a new season within a season.’ These last three games, for the guys that it will be the last time they will put on a uniform, to close out the right way. You’ll be remembered about the way you finished the season and the way you went out and fought and competed.

“And then for the guys that are coming back, it’s the start of a new season. How do you want practice to be run? How do you want the games to be played? How do you want next season to look? It’s got to show up in these next three games.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters looks on before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue coach on Michigan scandal: ‘They aren’t allegations’

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Purdue coach Ryan Walters was crystal clear when addressing the allegations circling the Michigan football program.

For the record, the NCAA is investigating the third-ranked Wolverines for violating rules regarding off-campus scouting of upcoming foes, with staff member Connor Stalions the alleged ringleader of a sign-stealing operation.

Michigan suspended Stalions with pay earlier this month, and head coach Jim Harbaugh denied knowledge of any wrongdoing.

“It’s unfortunate,” Walters said Thursday night on his radio show, two days ahead of the Boilermakers’ game against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Mich.

“What’s crazy is they weren’t allegations. It happened. There’s video evidence. There’s ticket purchases and sales that you can track back. We know for a fact that they were at a number of our games, so we’ve had to teach our guys a new language in terms of some signals and we will operate differently offensively … like you might see us in a huddle for the first time this season. So it is what it is, but we’re excited to go play, and I think it’ll make for a great story.”

Big Ten coaches expressed concerns with league commissioner Tony Petitti about Michigan’s alleged off-campus scouting on a conference call on Wednesday. Petitti is scheduled to meet with Michigan president Santa Ono on Friday morning.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue rested and ready for Nebraska challenge

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A rested Purdue team will attempt to take down a banged-up Nebraska squad when the Big Ten programs meet Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

The Boilermakers (2-5, 1-3) are coming off a bye after losing four of five, most recently by 34 points to No. 3 Ohio State on Oct. 14. The time off allowed Purdue to get healthy and refreshed for the stretch run.

“The buy-in is exactly what you want it to be,” first-year coach Ryan Walters said. “The guys that were dinged up are starting to look like themselves.”

The same can’t be said for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers (4-3, 2-2) beat Northwestern 17-9 at home last weekend for their second straight win, but it came at a cost with injuries to several key players — including three on the offensive line.

Guard Ethan Piper and tackle Turner Corcoran are out for the year, while guard Nouredin Nouili will miss multiple weeks. Same goes for top receiver Billy Kemp IV.

“We’re a pretty beat up team right now,” first-year coach Matt Rhule said. “We’ll have to have some guys step up.”

Nebraska’s defense has remained healthy, and it has showed on the field. The Huskers have allowed only 16 points in the past two games, and three of four Big Ten opponents have been held to 13 points or less.

Too bad their offense hasn’t capitalized, averaging only 18.7 points per game.

Purdue has scored only 21 total points in its last two games, with Texas transfer Hudson Card throwing for a season-low 126 yards last time out against the Buckeyes.

A win for Nebraska on Saturday would move it a game away from bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. Purdue has to win four of its remaining five to avoid missing out on a bowl in a non-COVID season for the first time since 2019.

The Boilermakers lead 6-5 in the series, taking four of the last five meetings.

–Field Level Media