Purdue Football Struggles in Happy Valley

Purdue Football Struggles in Happy Valley

written by: P E Gable/Excel H Sports

On a day devoted to tricks and treats, it was absolute horror for the Purdue football team at Happy Valley, as the Boilermakers fell 31-17.
The loss dropped Purdue to 3-5 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten and was the second consecutive loss. Perhaps, more importantly, Purdue must now win three of its last four games against Maryland, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana to qualify for a bowl under second year head coach Barry Odom.
Penn State improved to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten.

The win was the first in the Big Ten for the Nittany Lions this season under first year head coach Matt Campbell, the first in the month of October for the Nittany Lions in two years, was the first win since September 19, saw the rediscovering of the running game and came with playmakers Koby Howard and Chase Sowell out with injuries.

The hosts scored first, as quarterback Rocco Becht, who finished 16-of-24 for 175 yards and a touchdown, connected with redshirt junior tight end Andrew Rappleyea for a four-yard touchdown pass.

Purdue would respond with a touchdown of its own, as quarterback Ryan Browne, who threw for 142 yards and a touchdown, connected with Xavier Townsend on a 33-yard strike to knot the game at 7-7. Townsend finished with a team high four catches for 46 yards and a score.

Becht would add a rushing touchdown to put the Nittany Lions ahead 14-7, but the Boilers would answer right back.
Bisi Owens blocked a Penn State punt that was scooped up by Jalil Hall and returned 31 yards for a touchdown, marking the first blocked punt returned for a score since 2008.
It would be as close as the Boilermakers would get the rest of the way, as Penn State turned up its defensive intensity and held Purdue running back Fame Ijeboi to 20 yards and made things difficult for Browne in the pocket. Purdue would punt three times and had an interception on its next four possessions.

Penn State running back Carson Hansen found paydirt from a yard out. Kicker Ryan Barker would drill a 44-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-14. A touchdown run by Cam Wallace would stretch the lead to 31-14.

Purdue’s final points of the game would come by way of a 49-yard field goal from Jacob Echeverria Lozano.

As a unit, Penn State’s offense rolled up 457 total yards, including 269 on the ground.
Purdue was held to just 33 yards rushing and was 2-of-11 on third down conversions in the game.

The Boilermakers will look to return to their winning ways Saturday when it hosts Maryland (2-6, 0-5) for Homecoming. The Terrapins fell 20-17 to Illinois on Halloween and enter with interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. at Ross-Ade Stadium.