‘C-plus’ game leads to loss

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When asked to grade the offense's performance against Michigan Saturday, Purdue quarterback Brandon Hance was terse.

"We failed. We lost," Hance said after Purdue's 24-10 defeat.

After the offense spent the entire game failing to take advantage of quality scoring opportunities, Hance had every reason to speak as he did.

"We had a lot of opportunities that we didn't capitalize on," Hance said.

After a successful first drive that covered 80 yards in 13 plays and ended with Hance finding tight end Tim Stratton in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown, Purdue had trouble gaining yardage.

"You've got to give credit to (Michigan), but we kind of beat ourselves after that first drive," Stratton said, referring to Purdue's bevy of dropped passes and 13 offensive penalties. "Against a good team, you've got to bring you’re 'A' game, and a C-plus isn't going to cut it."

Purdue's next three drives ended without the Boilers (4-1, 2-1 Big Ten) getting a first down.

Meanwhile, with the offense's inability to move the ball helping Michigan get good field position, the Wolverines (5-1, 3-0) put together two short scoring drives to go up 14-7. The defense missed several tackles and had some coverage gaffes on those drives, but Purdue coach Joe Tiller wasn't about to chastise the defense.

"I was relatively pleased with the way we played defensively; I was not pleased with the way we played offensively," Tiller said. "But, I was pleased with the way the quarterback played."

Although the Wolverines came after Hance with blitz after blitz and the crowd of 110,450 made it hard to communicate, the redshirt freshman tried to get Purdue back in the game.

"I was trying to do a good job leading my football team and instill some type of hope and optimism that we could still win the football game," Hance said.

On the drive after Michigan's second touchdown, Purdue got to the Michigan 45, but Hance's deep pass on third-and-9 went through the hands of sophomore receiver John Standeford.

The Boilers got the ball back after a fumble two plays later, but lost a total of 14 yards on the next three plays and had to settle for a 45-yard field goal from Travis Dorsch.

"When you play a good football team, the margin of error is reduced," Tiller said. "When you have those opportunities, you've got to cash in."

Although the defense forced two more turnovers, Purdue never got closer to the end zone than the Michigan 29-yard line. After Stu Schweigert's 58-yard interception return, Purdue had a chance to take the lead but failed when Seth Morales fumbled at the 29.

Purdue had to rely on passes because Michigan's run defense, the best in the conference and third-best in the nation, allowed Purdue just 57 yards rushing.

Hance, who was 16 of 33 passing for 198 yards, led Purdue in rushing with 22 yards on 23 carries. He actually gained 56 yards when he ran, but he got sacked seven times and lost 34 yards.

Purdue's loss, which caused the Boilers to drop from No. 17 to No. 24 in the Associated Press Top 25, was Purdue's 15th consecutive defeat in Michigan Stadium, a streak that dates back to 1966.

"We were all talking in the locker room that we've got the ability to beat this team," Stratton said. "We just made too many mistakes."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Doug Healey

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