Purdue Beats Indiana 35-31 with Late Game Heroics

Purdue finishes 4-8 and retains both trophies in a difficult but promising season in Head Coach Ryan Walters’ first year.

• By
  
  JedWilkinson
  
• on November 25, 2023 3:55 pm

The Purdue Boilermakers were some how able to sneak away with a victory over the Indiana Hoosiers in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket 35-31. The Boilers were able to get a stop on 4th and 1 from their own 40 yard line when the Hoosiers decided to try and throw the ball instead of running inside. Nic Scourton was able to make the tackle in the backfield as Sorsby was rolling to his left.

Purdue was able to generate enough offense in the second half, scoring 17 in the fourth quarter to all but steal a victory in what is the 300th victory in Ross Ade Stadium history. Hudson Card went 21-34 for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns while also leading the Boilers in rushing with 85 yards on the ground.

Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Purdue’s young tight ends were able to step up with Burhenn catching 5 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown after entering the game without a reception while Drew Biber returned from injury to make a touchdown reception for 16 yards. Deion Burks elevated himself in the final game of the year with 7 receptions for 87 yards but his 44 yard reception down the left side of the field on Purdue’s final possession was likely the biggest of the season.

Dillion Thieneman likely solidified a potential All B1G season and a Freshman All American with a 8 solo tackles, a tackle for loss, and two big interceptions. He set the freshman record for interceptions, tackles, and started all 13 games for the Boilers. Meanwhile, Nic Scourton had another big game with 2 sacks and 2 tackles for loss and finished the season with 10 sacks, the most sacks since Ryan Kerrigan had 12.5 in 2010.

The Boilers head into the offseason riding a bit of momentum finishing the season winning two of their final three games. This roster is going to look vastly different due to the talented freshman coming in but also the likely high number of transfers that are likely to occur in Ryan Walters’ second year.

Read more