Purdue Gets First Home Conference Win Under Darrell Hazell

It took almost three seasons, but Purdue Boilermakers head coach Darrell Hazell can now say he’s won a Big Ten game at home.

Everything fell Purdue’s (2-6, 1-3 Big Ten) way on Saturday, at home, against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (3-6, 1-4 Big Ten). Not only did the Huskers starting quarterback – Tommy Armstrong Jr. – not play, but they lost starting running back Terrell Newby in the first half to an ankle injury that kept him out the rest of the game. The Boilermakers took advantage of the injuries and claimed their second victory of the season, 55-45.

Purdue quarterback David Blough lit up the Husker’s secondary, going 28-of-43 for 274 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He also finished with 82 rushing yards, including a 56-yard scamper for a touchdown in the first quarter.

After three straight games of mediocre play, Blough finally showed off the throwing prowess that we had seen in his first collegiate start against Bowling Green. It would appear the week off really helped not only Blough, but the rest of this Purdue team settle down, heal up, and fix some of the major issues that had befallen this young squad.

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Blough wasn’t the only offensive player to enjoy an outstanding day. Wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey caught five passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. His 83-yard touchdown reception came late in the third quarter and pushed the Boilermakers lead back to 19 after Nebraska had cut it to five at the beginning of the half.

Running back Markell Jones also had a terrific game for Purdue. Getting the nod as the go-to running back with D.J. Knox out, Jones ran 23 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Those two scores came late in the fourth quarter and sealed the victory for the Boilermakers.

Oct 31, 2015; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the amazing day the offense had, they still made it tough on the defense. Only one drive lasted more than three minutes, which meant the defense didn’t see much rest, even though they caused five turnovers. And you saw that in the final score of the game. Instead of this being a complete blowout – as it should have been with that many turnovers – the Boilermakers were still fighting to hold off a late attack by the Huskers.

Four of the five turnovers the Boilermakers caused were interceptions, and cornerback Anthony Brown grabbed three of them, which give him four for the season. Cornerback Frankie Williams had the other interception; his second of the year.

Purdue is now 6-26, 2-18 in the Big Ten under head coach Darrell Hazell. This was their first Big Ten victory at Ross-Ade Stadium under Hazell and their first Big Ten victory in their last 10 conference games.

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We will see if this momentum can carry over to next week when the Boilermakers welcome the Illinois Fighting Illini to Ross-Ade.

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