FINAL: Purdue Boilermakers falls to Michigan State Spartans, 14-0
By Evan Reller
Oct 19, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Brandon Cottom (25) is up ended by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) during the 1st half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
The Purdue Boilermakers hung tight with the Michigan State Spartans Saturday afternoon. In what might have been the most boring game of the day, the Spartans eked out a 14-0 win.
Purdue fell to 1-6 (0-3) on the season.
This game was a defensive slugfest. Purdue played very solid defense all day and only gave up one touchdown late in the game. Michigan State’s own failings on offense helped, but the Spartans only saw the red zone once all game. They were held to just 294 yards, including 112 yards passing.
Connor Cook failed to find the end zone, and it was up to wide receiver Tony Lippett to score on a trick play. Lippett took a handoff on what appeared to be a WR sweep only to pass it to a wide open Andrew Gleichert.
Purdue quarterback Danny Etling continued his rough freshman season. He was 14-for-25 for 160 yards, but he threw an interception on a deep pass into the end zone. He was also demolished on a sack-fumble that the Spartans returned for a touchdown.
The Boilers found early success running the ball with Brandon Cottom, but it didn’t last. Cottom finished with 39 yards off 12 carries. Akeem Hunt had nine carries for 43 yards. As a team, Purdue averaged just 1.9 yards per carry.
Wide out DeAngelo Yancy had been having a breakout couple weeks, but was held to just one catch for 32 yards against a smothering Spartan secondary.
Purdue kicker Paul Griggs was 0-for-2 on field goal attempts. He missed his first one from 51 yards (and into the wind) out at the end of the first half. His second miss was a 41-yard attempt.
The two teams combined to punt the ball 13 times. Both teams started from inside their own 10-yard line three times.
Purdue has the week off before hosting No. 4 Ohio State on November 2nd.
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