Another head-scratcher for Purdue football in OT loss to Northwestern

Posted by author November 2, 2024 Football

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WEST LAFAYETTE — Hudson Card established himself as the top quarterback for Purdue football.

At least through Saturday’s 26-20 overtime loss to Northwestern at Ross-Ade Stadium.

After opening with Card as the starter, the Boilermakers, true to their promise to play two quarterbacks, replaced him with Ryan Browne.

After totaling 28 yards on two drives with Browne, Card played quarterback the remainder of the game.

Card finished 21 of 37 for 267 yards.

Another overtime head-scratching decision by Purdue football

Facing a fourth-and-6 in overtime, Purdue head coach Ryan Walters elected to pass up a 38-yard field goal try. Instead, Card threw his third straight incompletion.

Even with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that forced Northwestern to start at the 40, the Wildcats needed just two plays to find the end zone.

This comes three weeks after Walters decided to pass up an extra point and go for a two-point conversion at Illinois. That play backfired after Browne was sacked, sealing a 50-49 loss.

Purdue football’s defensive woes continue

Northwestern was statistically the worst offense in the Big Ten, averaging 18.4 points and 271.1 yards per game.

By halftime, the Wildcats already had 212 yards and led 17-10.

Purdue has not led in the first half since the 49-0 victory over Indiana State on Aug. 31.

The Wildcats finished with 424, boosting those numbers against Purdue’s conference-worst defense.

Playmakers appear for Purdue

The running game has been what Purdue’s offense could hang its hat on over the past two seasons.

The Boilermakers struggled on the ground Saturday.

Jahmal Edrine, who was projected to be Purdue’s top receiver last season before tearing his ACL in preseason camp,

Tight end Max Klare, Purdue’s leading receiver this season, was instrumental during a late first-half touchdown drive with catches of 12, 13 and 14 yards, respectively, on three straight plays. Jaron Tibbs set up Edrine’s touchdown with two straight catches for 30 yards to get Purdue to the 6.

Card totaled 90 yards rushing and passing on an 87-yard drive.

Reversal of fortune

Yanni Karlaftis snagged a loose ball out of mid-air and raced towards the goal line late in the third quarter.

Purdue thought it was set up for a golden opportunity to take the lead.

The fumble was overturned and Northwestern capped a 15-play drive with a field goal that put the Wildcats up 20-13. During that drive, what would have been a third-and-17 turned into an automatic first down after rush end Jireh Ojata was flagged for a hands to the face penalty.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.