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Three and Out: Purdue's 35-31 win over Indiana

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George Burhenn
True freshman tight end George Burhenn enjoyed a "breakout" game of sorts (Chad Krockover)

Purdue wrapped up its 2023 season with a 35-31 win against Indiana. The win marks the third-consecutive win over Indiana for Purdue, who has taken the Old Oaken Bucket in five of the last six meetings.

The Hoosiers struck first on a 33-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter to begin the scoring. After Purdue cut the deficit to 7-6, another Indiana touchdown pass grew their lead to 14-6. Purdue responded to close the first half down 14-12, having failed the two-point conversion try.

A 33-yard field goal by Ben Freehill put the Boilermakers ahead early in the third quarter, but that lead quickly switched hands following a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff return for Indiana. The early action in the second half foreshadowed a back-and-forth affair, as the teams traded blows in the final minutes of their seasons.

Purdue used some trickeration on a fourth-and-two play where Hudson Card found Devin Mockobee wide open for a touchdown, and a subsequent field goal tied the game at 28. Purdue took a 35-31 lead late in the game on a Card touchdown run, and a turnover on downs from Indiana sealed the deal for the Boilermakers.

Three takeaways…

  • The special teams woes continued for the Boilermakers. On the first possession of the game, Ben Freehill missed a 30-yard field goal. Following Purdue’s first touchdown, a botched snap/hold resulted in a failed PAT. When Purdue took its first lead of the day, a 15-14 advantage in the third quarter, Indiana’s Jaylin Lucas promptly ran the kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown. Purdue jumped offsides on an Indiana punt attempt, handing the Hoosiers a first down. That drive resulted in an Indiana touchdown.
  • Purdue’s defense lived up to the “Air Strike” mantra at times, intercepting three Indiana passes on the afternoon. Dillon Thieneman notched a pair of picks to set a new school freshman record with six on the season, while Cam Allen’s interception moved him into a tie with Ricardo Allen for second on the all-time interception leaderboard with 13. Stuart Schweigert holds the record with 17.
  • The Boilermakers needed Hudson Card to deliver, and he certainly did his part. With a limited offensive line and missing several key receivers, Card often had little time to work with and needed to fit passes into tight windows. He finished the day 21-for-34 passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 85 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

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