Game Notes as a PDF
Purdue-Minnesota Series Data
Minnesota leads 39-33-3
Current Streak: Minnesota has won the last two meetings.
In Minneapolis: Minnesota leads 32-12-3
First Meeting: Oct. 27, 1894 – Minnesota won 24-0 in Minneapolis.
Last Meeting: Nov. 10, 2018 – Minnesota won 38-31 in West Lafayette.
Noteworthy: In a 56-21 victory over Minnesota on Oct. 3, 1998, at Ross-Ade Stadium, the Boilermakers established a school record with 604 passing yards. In only his fifth collegiate start, quarterback Drew
Brees set individual school marks with 522 passing yards (now tied for the third-most all-time) and six passing touchdowns. Purdue amassed 692 yards of total offense, which also was a school record at the time and currently ranks second.
Playing on Friday
The Boilermakers have played on Friday 11 times previously with a 5-5-1 record, including five night games. Purdue's 44-21 victory over Ohio in 2017 was Jeff Brohm's first as the Boilermakers' head coach.
Purdue's Friday Games
Nov. 29, 1889 – at Butler, L 14-0
Oct. 28, 1904 – vs. Missouri (at St. Louis), W 11-0
Nov. 24, 1905 – Notre Dame, W 32-0 – Stuart Field
Oct. 14, 1949 – at Miami (Fla.), W 14-0*
Oct. 12, 1951 – at Miami (Fla.), L 7-0*
Sept. 18, 1959 – at #11 UCLA, T 0-0
Nov. 24, 1995 – at Indiana, W 51-14
Dec. 31, 2004 – vs. #21 Arizona State (Sun Bowl), L 27-23
Dec. 29, 2006 – vs. Maryland (Champs Sports Bowl), L 24-7*
Sept. 8, 2017 - vs. Ohio, W 44-21 *
Aug. 30, 2019 – at Nevada, L 34-31 *
* denotes Friday night game
Triple Digits Receiving by a Running Back
Zander Horvath's 100 yards receiving on nine catches against Northwestern last week were the most by a Purdue running back since Edwin Watson had five receptions for 102 yards vs. Oklahoma State in the 1997 Alamo Bowl. Akeem Shavers was the most recent RB close to joining the 100 receiving yards club when he hauled in two passes for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Indiana in 2012.
Club Century
Three different Purdue players have gone over 100 yards in a game six times in three contests. Zander Horvath leads with way with a pair of 100-yard rushing games (129 vs. Iowa and 102 at Illinois) and a 100-yard receiving game (100 vs. Northwestern). David Bell has two 100-yard receiving games this season (121 vs. Iowa and 122 at Illinois) and Milton Wright is in the club with a 100-yard receiving game (100 at Illinois).
A Purdue Record
Sophomore wide receiver David Bell kicked off the 2020 season just the way he ended the 2019 campaign - with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. Bell wrapped up last season with three straight 100-yard games via the pass en route to being name the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and opened this year with two more - against Iowa in the opener and last week at Illinois. Bell is the only player in school history to record five consecutive games with 100 or more yards receiving. The previous Purdue record of four straight was shared by Rodney Carter (1985) and Keith Smith (2009). He has broken the century mark in receiving yards eight times in 15 career games at Purdue.
David Bell's Five Consecutive Games of 100+ Yards Receiving
Nov. 9, 2019 at Northwestern - career-high 14 receptions, 115 yards, TD
Nov. 23, 2019 at Wisconsin - 12 receptions, 108 yards, TD
Nov. 30, 2019 vs. Indiana - 9 receptions 136 yards, TD
Oct. 24, 2020 vs. Iowa - 13 receptions, 121 yards, career-high 3 TDs
Oct. 31, 2020 at Illinois - 9 receptions, 122 yards, TD
Five-Game Totals = 57 receptions, 602 yards, 6 TDs (11.4 rpg / 120.4 ypg)
More on Bell
David Bell enters the Minnesota game second in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten with an average of 10.3 receptions per game. He is 17th among all FBS players with 107.0 receiving yards per game.
It's Been Done Merely Twice Before in 23 Years at Purdue
After rushing 23 times for 164 yards (7.1 ypc) and a pair of touchdowns against Indiana to end the 2019 season, then opening 2020 with 21 carries for 129 yards (6.1 ypc) against Iowa and following that up with 102 yards and a TD on 22 carries at Illinois, Zander Horvath became the first Purdue player to rush for over 100 yards in three consecutive games since Kory Sheets had 144 yards vs. Central Michigan, 111 yards at Minnesota and 141 yards vs. Notre Dame in 2007. Edwin Watson is the last Boilermaker to have three straight games over 100 yards rushing against Big Ten teams when he had 115 yards vs. Michigan State, 133 yards vs. Penn State and 163 yards at Indiana to end the 1997 regular season.
Miller Time
With a 40-yard scoring reception on a fourth down against Northwestern last week, redshirt freshman tight end Garrett Miller became the third Boilermaker to score on their first collegiate catch under Jeff Brohm. Miller joins Jackson Anthrop (vs. Louisville in 2017) and David Bell (at Nevada in 2019) in the rare company.
Behind Enemy Lines
The Boilermaker defense teamed up for 11.0 tackles for loss against Northwestern last week. It was the most stops behind the opposition's line of scrimmage by a Purdue team since tallying 11.0 TFLs vs. Nevada in 2016 and the most against a Big Ten opponent since recording 11.0 TFLs at Indiana to wrap up the 2011 regular season. Junior DaMarcus Mitchell led the Boilers with a career-high 3.0 TFLs against the Wildcats, followed by senior Derrick Barnes' 2.5.
King of the Comeback
Despite having only played in seven career collegiate games, junior quarterback Aidan O'Connell has already engineered three game-winning drives in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Taking over for an injured Jack Plummer with 4:21 to go against Nebraska last season, O'Connell went 6 for 6 for 62 yards on 12-play, 82-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown with 1:08 remaining. A week later, making his first collegiate start at Northwestern, O'Connell led the Boilermakers on an 11-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a game-winning 39-yard field goal by J.D. Dellinger with three seconds remaining in game. Trailing 20-17 late in the fourth quarter against Iowa last week (6:00 minutes left), O'Connell helmed a 12-play, 72-yard drive that resulted with him finding sophomore sensation David Bell on 6-yard game-winning touchdown (his third of the day) with 2:15 remaining for the victory.
Many Happy Returns
Jalen Graham's scoop-and-score on a fumble return at Illinois marks the seventh straight season Purdue has recorded a defensive TD. Graham's return was Purdue's first score on a fumble return since Danny Ezechukwu rumbled 90 yards against Virginia Tech Sept. 19, 2015.
Defensive Touchdowns in the Last Seven Years
2014 Frankie Williams vs. 39 yards vs. Iowa (Interception)
2015 Danny Ezechukwu 90 yards vs. Virginia Tech (Fumble)
2016 Gelen Robinson 78 yards vs. Eastern Kentucky (Interception)
2017 Ja'Whaun Bentley 76 yards vs. Minnesota (Interception)
2018 Markus Bailey 41 yards vs. Ohio State (Interception)
2019 Cory Trice 37 yards vs. Maryland (Interception)
2020 Jalen Graham 0 yards at Illinois (Fumble)
Wright On
Sophomore wide receiver Milton Wright has opened the 2020 season on a nice note. After catching 18 passes for 288 yards and a TD in 11 games as a true freshman last year, he has already chalked up 16 catches for 209 yards and two scores in merely three games this season.
Takeaways
Purdue's defense has forced seven takeaways in three games this season (four fumble recoveries and three interceptions). In 12 games last season, the Boilermakers finished their slate with 15 total takeaways for the year (nine interceptions, six fumble recoveries).
In The Zone
Through three games, Purdue's opponents have posted just a 64.7 successful scoring percentage when penetrating the red zone (11 of 17). The Boilers have taken the ball away six times inside their own 25-yard line thus far (two on downs, one interception, two on fumble recoveries and one at half). Purdue ranks fifth nationally in red zone defense.
Something Had to Give
With 10 points in the final 30 minutes last week against Northwestern, the Boilermakers became the first team to score against the Wildcats in the second half this season.
Dependable Derrick
Senior Derrick Barnes has been a mainstay in Purdue's defensive lineup in his four seasons at Purdue. He has appeared in 40 career games, including 28 starts. He has been among the top tacklers on the team each of the last two seasons, finishing second with 63 stops last season and posting a career-high 92 tackles in 2018 to finish third for the Boilermakers. He tied for the team lead in sacks last season with George Karlaftis (7.5). Barnes posted a career-high 14 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs, against Northwestern last week and enters the Minnesota game eighth in the Big Ten with an average of 9.0 tackles per game.
Dandy Dellinger
Kicker J.D. Dellinger enters his final season at Purdue second in school history in career field goal percentage and fourth in field goals made. Dellinger has connected on 37 of his 49 attempts as a Boilermaker (75.5 percent). As a junior last season, he was a career-best 13 of 16 on field goals, including a career-long 53-yarder against TCU. On kickoffs, Dellinger improved from seven touchbacks as a freshman to 40 last season.
Purdue Career Field Goal Percentage (min. 15 attempts)
1. .765 (26-34) – Spencer Evans, 2017-18
2. .755 (37-49) – J.D. Dellinger, 2016-17, 2019-
3. .737 (56-76) – Carson Wiggs, 2008-11
Purdue Career Field Goals
1. 68 – Travis Dorsch, 1998-2001
2. 56 – Carson Wiggs, 2008-11
3. 43 – Ben Jones, 2003-05
4. 37 – J.D. Dellinger, 2016-17, 2019-
Going The Distance
Dating back to last season, six of Purdue's last seven games have been decided by seven points or less (including all three games in 2020). The Boilermakers are 4-2 in those six contests.
Recent One-Score Games
Nov. 2, 2019 vs. Nebraska - W, 31-27 *
Nov. 9, 2019 at Northwestern - W, 24-22 *
Nov. 30, 2019 vs. Indiana - L, 41-44 (2 OT)
Oct. 24, 2020 vs. Iowa - W, 24-20 *
Oct. 31, 2020 at Illinois - W, 31-24
Nov. 14, 2020 vs. Northwestern - L, 20-27
* Denotes come-from-behind win
Clarity on the Record
Despite not being able to be present at the opener against Iowa on Oct. 24, Purdue's win over the Hawkeyes will be counted as a victory in Jeff Brohm's overall career and Purdue records.
Back-to-Back
Rondale Moore (2018) and David Bell's (2019) back-to-back Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors are Purdue's first since Brian Fox and Eric Hunter were feted in 1988 and 1989, respectively, and merely the fifth time in conference history for players from the same school to be recognized in consecutive years (also Michigan's Steve Breaston and Mike Hart in 2003 and 2004, Wisconsin's Chris Borland and James White in 2009 and 2010, and Penn State's Deion Barnes and Christian Hackenberg in 2011 and 2012).
Aerial Attack
With 420 yards passing against Maryland (Plummer) and 408 yards against Indiana (O'Connell) last season, Jack Plummer and Aidan O'Connell became the third and fourth Purdue quarterback to throw for over 400 yards in a game in Jeff Brohm's first three seasons as the Boilermakers' head coach. Purdue is the only school in Big Ten history to boast three quarterbacks with 400-yard passing games in the same season. Elijah Sindelar had 423 yards at Nevada and 509 yards vs. Vanderbilt earlier in 2019. Purdue has passed for 300 or more yards in 17 games under Brohm's leadership.
400+ Passing Yard Games Under Jeff Brohm
Player, Yards (Rank at Purdue), Opponent, Date
David Blough, 572 (1st), vs. Missouri, Sept. 15, 2018
Elijah Sindelar, 509 (t6th), vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 7, 2019
Elijah Sindelar, 423 (18th), at Nevada, Aug. 30, 2019
Jack Plummer, 420 (19th), vs. Maryland, Oct. 12, 2019
Aidan O'Connell, 408 (25th), vs. Indiana, Nov. 30, 2019
Honoring Morgan Burke
The Boilermakers will honor the life and legacy of former vice president and director of athletics Morgan J. Burke with a sticker on the rear of their helmets this season. Burke passed away June 15 after a year-long battle with amyloidosis (a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with their normal function). He was 68. Burke headed up Purdue athletics from 1993 to 2016. Burke is survived by his wife, Kate, three children – Joyce (husband Ryan), Morgan Jr. (wife Molly) and Patrick (wife Courtney) – and four grandchildren: Kate, Andrew, Parker June and Emily.
No Fear. All Love.
In acknowledgment and support of all members of the community, the Purdue football team will wear t-shirts with the phrasing "No fear. All love." throughout the 2020 season. The social equality shirt was the result of a collaboration between Purdue football leadership and the Purdue Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's division of Diversity and Inclusion. The unified statement by student-athletes is intended to support equality, inclusion and the need for continued progress toward a safe and just environment for all.
Purdue-Minnesota Series Data
Minnesota leads 39-33-3
Current Streak: Minnesota has won the last two meetings.
In Minneapolis: Minnesota leads 32-12-3
First Meeting: Oct. 27, 1894 – Minnesota won 24-0 in Minneapolis.
Last Meeting: Nov. 10, 2018 – Minnesota won 38-31 in West Lafayette.
Noteworthy: In a 56-21 victory over Minnesota on Oct. 3, 1998, at Ross-Ade Stadium, the Boilermakers established a school record with 604 passing yards. In only his fifth collegiate start, quarterback Drew
Brees set individual school marks with 522 passing yards (now tied for the third-most all-time) and six passing touchdowns. Purdue amassed 692 yards of total offense, which also was a school record at the time and currently ranks second.
Playing on Friday
The Boilermakers have played on Friday 11 times previously with a 5-5-1 record, including five night games. Purdue's 44-21 victory over Ohio in 2017 was Jeff Brohm's first as the Boilermakers' head coach.
Purdue's Friday Games
Nov. 29, 1889 – at Butler, L 14-0
Oct. 28, 1904 – vs. Missouri (at St. Louis), W 11-0
Nov. 24, 1905 – Notre Dame, W 32-0 – Stuart Field
Oct. 14, 1949 – at Miami (Fla.), W 14-0*
Oct. 12, 1951 – at Miami (Fla.), L 7-0*
Sept. 18, 1959 – at #11 UCLA, T 0-0
Nov. 24, 1995 – at Indiana, W 51-14
Dec. 31, 2004 – vs. #21 Arizona State (Sun Bowl), L 27-23
Dec. 29, 2006 – vs. Maryland (Champs Sports Bowl), L 24-7*
Sept. 8, 2017 - vs. Ohio, W 44-21 *
Aug. 30, 2019 – at Nevada, L 34-31 *
* denotes Friday night game
Triple Digits Receiving by a Running Back
Zander Horvath's 100 yards receiving on nine catches against Northwestern last week were the most by a Purdue running back since Edwin Watson had five receptions for 102 yards vs. Oklahoma State in the 1997 Alamo Bowl. Akeem Shavers was the most recent RB close to joining the 100 receiving yards club when he hauled in two passes for 99 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Indiana in 2012.
Club Century
Three different Purdue players have gone over 100 yards in a game six times in three contests. Zander Horvath leads with way with a pair of 100-yard rushing games (129 vs. Iowa and 102 at Illinois) and a 100-yard receiving game (100 vs. Northwestern). David Bell has two 100-yard receiving games this season (121 vs. Iowa and 122 at Illinois) and Milton Wright is in the club with a 100-yard receiving game (100 at Illinois).
A Purdue Record
Sophomore wide receiver David Bell kicked off the 2020 season just the way he ended the 2019 campaign - with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games. Bell wrapped up last season with three straight 100-yard games via the pass en route to being name the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and opened this year with two more - against Iowa in the opener and last week at Illinois. Bell is the only player in school history to record five consecutive games with 100 or more yards receiving. The previous Purdue record of four straight was shared by Rodney Carter (1985) and Keith Smith (2009). He has broken the century mark in receiving yards eight times in 15 career games at Purdue.
David Bell's Five Consecutive Games of 100+ Yards Receiving
Nov. 9, 2019 at Northwestern - career-high 14 receptions, 115 yards, TD
Nov. 23, 2019 at Wisconsin - 12 receptions, 108 yards, TD
Nov. 30, 2019 vs. Indiana - 9 receptions 136 yards, TD
Oct. 24, 2020 vs. Iowa - 13 receptions, 121 yards, career-high 3 TDs
Oct. 31, 2020 at Illinois - 9 receptions, 122 yards, TD
Five-Game Totals = 57 receptions, 602 yards, 6 TDs (11.4 rpg / 120.4 ypg)
More on Bell
David Bell enters the Minnesota game second in the NCAA and first in the Big Ten with an average of 10.3 receptions per game. He is 17th among all FBS players with 107.0 receiving yards per game.
It's Been Done Merely Twice Before in 23 Years at Purdue
After rushing 23 times for 164 yards (7.1 ypc) and a pair of touchdowns against Indiana to end the 2019 season, then opening 2020 with 21 carries for 129 yards (6.1 ypc) against Iowa and following that up with 102 yards and a TD on 22 carries at Illinois, Zander Horvath became the first Purdue player to rush for over 100 yards in three consecutive games since Kory Sheets had 144 yards vs. Central Michigan, 111 yards at Minnesota and 141 yards vs. Notre Dame in 2007. Edwin Watson is the last Boilermaker to have three straight games over 100 yards rushing against Big Ten teams when he had 115 yards vs. Michigan State, 133 yards vs. Penn State and 163 yards at Indiana to end the 1997 regular season.
Miller Time
With a 40-yard scoring reception on a fourth down against Northwestern last week, redshirt freshman tight end Garrett Miller became the third Boilermaker to score on their first collegiate catch under Jeff Brohm. Miller joins Jackson Anthrop (vs. Louisville in 2017) and David Bell (at Nevada in 2019) in the rare company.
Behind Enemy Lines
The Boilermaker defense teamed up for 11.0 tackles for loss against Northwestern last week. It was the most stops behind the opposition's line of scrimmage by a Purdue team since tallying 11.0 TFLs vs. Nevada in 2016 and the most against a Big Ten opponent since recording 11.0 TFLs at Indiana to wrap up the 2011 regular season. Junior DaMarcus Mitchell led the Boilers with a career-high 3.0 TFLs against the Wildcats, followed by senior Derrick Barnes' 2.5.
King of the Comeback
Despite having only played in seven career collegiate games, junior quarterback Aidan O'Connell has already engineered three game-winning drives in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Taking over for an injured Jack Plummer with 4:21 to go against Nebraska last season, O'Connell went 6 for 6 for 62 yards on 12-play, 82-yard drive for the game-winning touchdown with 1:08 remaining. A week later, making his first collegiate start at Northwestern, O'Connell led the Boilermakers on an 11-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a game-winning 39-yard field goal by J.D. Dellinger with three seconds remaining in game. Trailing 20-17 late in the fourth quarter against Iowa last week (6:00 minutes left), O'Connell helmed a 12-play, 72-yard drive that resulted with him finding sophomore sensation David Bell on 6-yard game-winning touchdown (his third of the day) with 2:15 remaining for the victory.
Many Happy Returns
Jalen Graham's scoop-and-score on a fumble return at Illinois marks the seventh straight season Purdue has recorded a defensive TD. Graham's return was Purdue's first score on a fumble return since Danny Ezechukwu rumbled 90 yards against Virginia Tech Sept. 19, 2015.
Defensive Touchdowns in the Last Seven Years
2014 Frankie Williams vs. 39 yards vs. Iowa (Interception)
2015 Danny Ezechukwu 90 yards vs. Virginia Tech (Fumble)
2016 Gelen Robinson 78 yards vs. Eastern Kentucky (Interception)
2017 Ja'Whaun Bentley 76 yards vs. Minnesota (Interception)
2018 Markus Bailey 41 yards vs. Ohio State (Interception)
2019 Cory Trice 37 yards vs. Maryland (Interception)
2020 Jalen Graham 0 yards at Illinois (Fumble)
Wright On
Sophomore wide receiver Milton Wright has opened the 2020 season on a nice note. After catching 18 passes for 288 yards and a TD in 11 games as a true freshman last year, he has already chalked up 16 catches for 209 yards and two scores in merely three games this season.
Takeaways
Purdue's defense has forced seven takeaways in three games this season (four fumble recoveries and three interceptions). In 12 games last season, the Boilermakers finished their slate with 15 total takeaways for the year (nine interceptions, six fumble recoveries).
In The Zone
Through three games, Purdue's opponents have posted just a 64.7 successful scoring percentage when penetrating the red zone (11 of 17). The Boilers have taken the ball away six times inside their own 25-yard line thus far (two on downs, one interception, two on fumble recoveries and one at half). Purdue ranks fifth nationally in red zone defense.
Something Had to Give
With 10 points in the final 30 minutes last week against Northwestern, the Boilermakers became the first team to score against the Wildcats in the second half this season.
Dependable Derrick
Senior Derrick Barnes has been a mainstay in Purdue's defensive lineup in his four seasons at Purdue. He has appeared in 40 career games, including 28 starts. He has been among the top tacklers on the team each of the last two seasons, finishing second with 63 stops last season and posting a career-high 92 tackles in 2018 to finish third for the Boilermakers. He tied for the team lead in sacks last season with George Karlaftis (7.5). Barnes posted a career-high 14 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs, against Northwestern last week and enters the Minnesota game eighth in the Big Ten with an average of 9.0 tackles per game.
Dandy Dellinger
Kicker J.D. Dellinger enters his final season at Purdue second in school history in career field goal percentage and fourth in field goals made. Dellinger has connected on 37 of his 49 attempts as a Boilermaker (75.5 percent). As a junior last season, he was a career-best 13 of 16 on field goals, including a career-long 53-yarder against TCU. On kickoffs, Dellinger improved from seven touchbacks as a freshman to 40 last season.
Purdue Career Field Goal Percentage (min. 15 attempts)
1. .765 (26-34) – Spencer Evans, 2017-18
2. .755 (37-49) – J.D. Dellinger, 2016-17, 2019-
3. .737 (56-76) – Carson Wiggs, 2008-11
Purdue Career Field Goals
1. 68 – Travis Dorsch, 1998-2001
2. 56 – Carson Wiggs, 2008-11
3. 43 – Ben Jones, 2003-05
4. 37 – J.D. Dellinger, 2016-17, 2019-
Going The Distance
Dating back to last season, six of Purdue's last seven games have been decided by seven points or less (including all three games in 2020). The Boilermakers are 4-2 in those six contests.
Recent One-Score Games
Nov. 2, 2019 vs. Nebraska - W, 31-27 *
Nov. 9, 2019 at Northwestern - W, 24-22 *
Nov. 30, 2019 vs. Indiana - L, 41-44 (2 OT)
Oct. 24, 2020 vs. Iowa - W, 24-20 *
Oct. 31, 2020 at Illinois - W, 31-24
Nov. 14, 2020 vs. Northwestern - L, 20-27
* Denotes come-from-behind win
Clarity on the Record
Despite not being able to be present at the opener against Iowa on Oct. 24, Purdue's win over the Hawkeyes will be counted as a victory in Jeff Brohm's overall career and Purdue records.
Back-to-Back
Rondale Moore (2018) and David Bell's (2019) back-to-back Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors are Purdue's first since Brian Fox and Eric Hunter were feted in 1988 and 1989, respectively, and merely the fifth time in conference history for players from the same school to be recognized in consecutive years (also Michigan's Steve Breaston and Mike Hart in 2003 and 2004, Wisconsin's Chris Borland and James White in 2009 and 2010, and Penn State's Deion Barnes and Christian Hackenberg in 2011 and 2012).
Aerial Attack
With 420 yards passing against Maryland (Plummer) and 408 yards against Indiana (O'Connell) last season, Jack Plummer and Aidan O'Connell became the third and fourth Purdue quarterback to throw for over 400 yards in a game in Jeff Brohm's first three seasons as the Boilermakers' head coach. Purdue is the only school in Big Ten history to boast three quarterbacks with 400-yard passing games in the same season. Elijah Sindelar had 423 yards at Nevada and 509 yards vs. Vanderbilt earlier in 2019. Purdue has passed for 300 or more yards in 17 games under Brohm's leadership.
400+ Passing Yard Games Under Jeff Brohm
Player, Yards (Rank at Purdue), Opponent, Date
David Blough, 572 (1st), vs. Missouri, Sept. 15, 2018
Elijah Sindelar, 509 (t6th), vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 7, 2019
Elijah Sindelar, 423 (18th), at Nevada, Aug. 30, 2019
Jack Plummer, 420 (19th), vs. Maryland, Oct. 12, 2019
Aidan O'Connell, 408 (25th), vs. Indiana, Nov. 30, 2019
Honoring Morgan Burke
The Boilermakers will honor the life and legacy of former vice president and director of athletics Morgan J. Burke with a sticker on the rear of their helmets this season. Burke passed away June 15 after a year-long battle with amyloidosis (a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with their normal function). He was 68. Burke headed up Purdue athletics from 1993 to 2016. Burke is survived by his wife, Kate, three children – Joyce (husband Ryan), Morgan Jr. (wife Molly) and Patrick (wife Courtney) – and four grandchildren: Kate, Andrew, Parker June and Emily.
No Fear. All Love.
In acknowledgment and support of all members of the community, the Purdue football team will wear t-shirts with the phrasing "No fear. All love." throughout the 2020 season. The social equality shirt was the result of a collaboration between Purdue football leadership and the Purdue Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's division of Diversity and Inclusion. The unified statement by student-athletes is intended to support equality, inclusion and the need for continued progress toward a safe and just environment for all.