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WEST LAFAYETTE- Purdue and Wisconsin met up on a cold November Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium on Purdue Senior Day. The Boilermakers entered the contest 5-5 (4-3) and with a win would become bowl eligible. Wisconsin entered the game today without their starting QB Alex Hornibrook who did not make the trip to West Lafayette. Backup Jack Coan went under center for the Badgers.
Purdue has 29 seniors on their team who are playing their last game at Ross-Ade Stadium. There is also a cloud overhead the stadium as to if it is Jeff Brohm’s possible last game. Brohm has been linked to his alma mater Louisville after the Cardinals fired HC Bobby Petrino last week. Louisville’s #1 target is Brohm and the local boosters want Brohm there.
Purdue started the game slow with punts on their first 2 possessions. Wisconsin was able to get the ball into Purdue territory before a 30-yard field goal missed wide left. Purdue took over the possession and moved the ball down to Badgers side when Blough found WR Issac Zico down the right side at the 5-yard line when the ball was punched out and the ball fell into the end zone for a touchback. The first quarter ended in a 0-0 tie.
Purdue opened up the scoring in the 2nd quarter with an 18-yard catch and run from Blough to DJ Knox to put the Boilermakers ahead 7-0 midway through the 2nd quarter. The drive was 6 plays for 55 yards and the 19th touchdown pass of the season by Blough. The receiving touchdown was Knox’s 1st career receiving touchdown.
Wisconsin took the next possession and drove 13 plays for 54 yards and had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Gaglinone. Wisconsin cut the Purdue lead to 7-3. Wisconsin started to insert themselves in the rushing game with Jonathan Taylor. Taylor rushed for 4 first downs on the drive. Purdue brought their 2-minute offense onto the field and drove down the field quickly with A Blough to Terry Wright 39 yard catch to put Purdue in scoring range. Purdue did get a pass interference call in the end zone to move the ball to the 2-yard line, but Purdue couldn’t get in on three plays and settled for an Evans 20 yard field goal at the end of the half to give the Boilermakers a 10-3 lead at halftime. Blough went an efficient 17-21 for 201 yards and a touchdown in the 1st half.
It didn’t take long for the big plays in the 2nd half as Wisconsin scored on the 1st play of the 2nd half on a Jonathan Taylor 80 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 10.
Wisconsin came out in the 2nd half and it was clear that their game plan was to give the ball to sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor and wear down this Purdue defense. Wisconsin went 12 plays for 68 yards and settled for a 22-yard Gaglinone field goal to take a 13-10 lead over the Boilermakers. Purdue would answer back with a 12-yard touchdown run by Markell Jones. It only took Purdue 2:19 to go 6 plays 61 yards including a 15-yard penalty to get Purdue back on top of Wisconsin 17-13. David Blough moved into 3rd place all-time at Purdue in career completions.
Purdue was not done after forcing Wisconsin three and out, Purdue struck with a 46-yard touchdown catch by superstar Rondale Moore. Moore had a great catch and spin move on the Wisconsin defender and took it to the house to extend Purdue’s lead to 24-13.
Purdue punted to the Badgers with 13 minutes to go in the game, when the Badgers muffed the punt and Purdue recovered. The Boilers got the football down to the 2-yard line but could not get the ball in the end zone once again. Purdue settled for another Spencer Evans field goal and extended the lead to 27-13.
Wisconsin battled back with a 10 play 62-yard drive capped by 5-yard “Odell Beckham Jr” like catch by Davis to close the gap to 27-20 Purdue.
The Badgers battled back with another 18 yard TD catch by Danny Davis to tie the game at 27-27 with 2:00 minutes to go. Both teams couldn’t capitalize on their possessions and the game went into overtime. Purdue started overtime with the ball and scored on a 15-yard Rondae Moore catch. The Badgers countered and scored quickly on a Jonathan Taylor 12 yard run to end the first overtime.
The Badgers got the ball first on the second overtime and scored on a 2nd and goal run by Groshek. Purdue countered with a 7-yard catch by Issac Zico to force the 3rd overtime. In the 3rd overtime, the Boilers ran the ball twice for minimal gains and had to settle with a Spencer Evans field goal to give Purdue the 44-41 lead. Wisconsin received the ball and gave it to their bell cow Jonathan Taylor who scored on the 2nd play with a 17-yard rush to win the game for the Badgers 47-44. Taylor finished with 33 carries for 321 yards and 3 TDs. The Boilermakers travel to Bloomington to take on rival Indiana on next Saturday for the “Old Oaken Bucket” game. Also, the winner of that game will become bowl eligible and move on to bowl season. The losers season will end Saturday. Brohm was quiet on the question about the Louisville opening.
Stat Notes:
QB David Blough: 31-48 386 yards 4 TDs 0 INT
WR Rondale Moore: 9 REC 114 yards 2 TDs
