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Bowl Central
Music City Bowl
Tickets: From the Bowl / StubHub
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Happy birthday, Music City.
This Tennessee town was founded 239 years ago, on Christmas Day 1779.
And like a joyful bright-eyed youngster on this holiday, the Purdue football team was up and at 'em early Tuesday, continuing its preparation for the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. The Boilermakers had special teams and position meetings from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Opryland, followed by practice from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. at Ensworth High School, alma mater of junior tight end Bryce Hopkins.
"It wasn't a particularly hard or crazy practice, but more just getting back on the field and getting used to a new setting and the climate," senior running back D.J. Knox said. "Plus, there was a lot of joy and fun with it being Christmas and being with your teammates."
More meetings occurred from 5 to 6 p.m., and then the entire travel party departed for Christmas dinner at the Union Station Hotel downtown. The former bustling train station, which dated to the 19th century, now is a luxury hotel and a National Historic Landmark. Its magnificent Gothic architecture is a nod to days gone by. The local singer-songwriter duo of Amanda June and Cole Vosbury provided the entertainment.
"This program is a family," Knox said. "Everyone being together sharing a meal on Christmas like you would with your family shows how close and tight we are as a team. I definitely love the family aspect that we have here."
The Boilermakers (6-6) play Auburn (7-5) on Friday at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. local time), and the game will be televised by ESPN. The gameday weather forecast has improved noticeably, now calling for mostly sunny skies with a high temperature of 63 degrees.
Knox realizes he is in the final days of his Purdue career but is living in the precious present.
"It's kind of been a snowball effect for me," he said. "I graduated, moved out of my apartment and now it's really rolling. I feel it, but I'm just trying to live in the moment right now. I want to do everything I can to make sure we win this bowl game and finish with a winning record."
#BoilerNotes
* Nissan Stadium will be the sixth National Football League facility the Boilermakers have played in for a bowl game, joining Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1978 Peach and 1984 Peach), the Astrodome (1979 Bluebonnet), Raymond James Stadium (2000 Outback), Ford Field (2007 Motor City and 2011 Little Caesars Pizza) and Levi's Stadium (2017 Foster Farms).
* Purdue has not previously played a bowl game on Dec. 28.
Bowl Central
Music City Bowl
Tickets: From the Bowl / StubHub
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Happy birthday, Music City.
This Tennessee town was founded 239 years ago, on Christmas Day 1779.
And like a joyful bright-eyed youngster on this holiday, the Purdue football team was up and at 'em early Tuesday, continuing its preparation for the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. The Boilermakers had special teams and position meetings from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Opryland, followed by practice from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. at Ensworth High School, alma mater of junior tight end Bryce Hopkins.
"It wasn't a particularly hard or crazy practice, but more just getting back on the field and getting used to a new setting and the climate," senior running back D.J. Knox said. "Plus, there was a lot of joy and fun with it being Christmas and being with your teammates."
From our family to yours... Happy Holidays Boilermakers! ??????#BoilerUp #LetsPlayFootball pic.twitter.com/nA1YJcdItp
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 25, 2018
More meetings occurred from 5 to 6 p.m., and then the entire travel party departed for Christmas dinner at the Union Station Hotel downtown. The former bustling train station, which dated to the 19th century, now is a luxury hotel and a National Historic Landmark. Its magnificent Gothic architecture is a nod to days gone by. The local singer-songwriter duo of Amanda June and Cole Vosbury provided the entertainment.
"This program is a family," Knox said. "Everyone being together sharing a meal on Christmas like you would with your family shows how close and tight we are as a team. I definitely love the family aspect that we have here."
The holidays are all about family and we have the best around! #BoilerUp ???? #LetsPlayFootball pic.twitter.com/6rMOCDGsIz
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 26, 2018
The Boilermakers (6-6) play Auburn (7-5) on Friday at Nissan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. local time), and the game will be televised by ESPN. The gameday weather forecast has improved noticeably, now calling for mostly sunny skies with a high temperature of 63 degrees.
Knox realizes he is in the final days of his Purdue career but is living in the precious present.
"It's kind of been a snowball effect for me," he said. "I graduated, moved out of my apartment and now it's really rolling. I feel it, but I'm just trying to live in the moment right now. I want to do everything I can to make sure we win this bowl game and finish with a winning record."
#BoilerNotes
* Nissan Stadium will be the sixth National Football League facility the Boilermakers have played in for a bowl game, joining Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1978 Peach and 1984 Peach), the Astrodome (1979 Bluebonnet), Raymond James Stadium (2000 Outback), Ford Field (2007 Motor City and 2011 Little Caesars Pizza) and Levi's Stadium (2017 Foster Farms).
* Purdue has not previously played a bowl game on Dec. 28.