Purdue focuses on improving bowl prospects

By Greg Doddridge
Staff Writer

The Purdue football team will travel to Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday to play the 76th game in the Old Oaken Bucket series.

After becoming bowl eligible last Saturday with a 24-14 win against Michigan State, Purdue (6-3, 4-3 Big Ten) is looking to improve upon its bowl prospects this Saturday against Indiana. The Boilers play the Hoosiers (3-6, 3-4) at 12:10 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.

"Now that we have six victories under our belt, we hope to win the next two to place us in a better bowl," said redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Hance. "And that's always intensified even greater when you are playing against a rivalry like IU and Purdue is."

Purdue is 49-24-3 against Indiana in the Old Oaken Bucket series and the Boilers hold a 64-36-4 record in the overall series dating back to 1891. The Boilers are 4-0 against Indiana under coach Joe Tiller and they hold a 30-14-2 record against Indiana in Bloomington. The last time Indiana beat Purdue in Bloomington was on Nov. 20, 1993, when it won 24-17.

"A lot of guys from out of state might not know as much about it, but I know the in-state guys are all really hyped up to play this game because, I mean, everyone’s got their rivalry game and this is ours," said sophomore defensive tackle Craig Terrill, who is from Lebanon, Ind.

Although Hance is from Woodland Hills, Calif., he's still aware of Purdue's rivalry with the Hoosiers.

"I haven't been around this part of the country for the majority of my life so I don't know too much, but I know that it is a big rivalry and it's a game that we are all going to have to step up and perform our best," said Hance.

The Boilers will be facing the nation's third best rushing offense when they go against the Hoosiers on Saturday. Indiana averages 282.8 rushing yards per game and 453.2 total yards of offense per game. The Hoosiers are 11th in the nation in total yards of offense.

"They have been playing really great lately," said Purdue sophomore linebacker Landon Johnson, who was named Big Ten co-defensive player of the week after recording a career-high 14 tackles, including two for loss, one sack, one pass break-up and two forced fumbles against Michigan State.

"Obviously, they are doing something right on offense."

Indiana is led by dual passing and rushing threat Antwaan Randle El. But despite his 366 total yards of offense last week against Penn State, the Hoosiers lost 28-14 to the Nittany Lions. Indiana won its two games before that.

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