FACTS & STATS: Site: Memorial Stadium (52,929) — Bloomington, Indiana.
Television: Big Ten Network. Home Record: Purdue 2-5, Indiana 2-3. Away
Record: Purdue 1-2, Indiana 1-5. Neutral Record: Purdue 0-1, Indiana 0-0.
Conference Record: Purdue 1-6, Indiana 0-7. Series Record: Purdue leads,
72-38-6.
GAME NOTES: The Old Oaken Bucket is on the line Saturday afternoon when the
Indiana Hoosiers host the Purdue Boilermakers at Memorial Stadium in the final
game of the season for both Big Ten Conference teams.
Purdue has seen its season go into a tailspin, as the team enters this contest
in the midst of a five-game losing streak. Most recently, the Boilermakers
were dealt a 38-14 home loss by Northwestern last Saturday. Their lone Big Ten
victory came at Illinois back on Oct. 4.
On the other hand, Indiana remains winless in conference play this season. The
Hoosiers have lost six in a row and are coming off a 42-27 setback at No. 7
Ohio State last Saturday.
The Boilermakers lead the all-time series, 72-38-6. They notched a 56-35 home
win over the Hoosiers in 2012, but IU returned the favor with a 56-36 victory
last November in Bloomington. This is the first time in series history that
back-to-back meetings will take place in Bloomington.
On the season, Purdue ranks 92nd in the nation in scoring offense (24.5) and
110th in total offense (344.0). And after eclipsing the 30-point barrier in
three straight games, the Boilermakers have averaged just under 15 points in
their last three. Last week, the offense turned the ball over four times in
the first half, and those giveaways proved fruitful in a game that was decided
by 24 points. Austin Appleby completed 26-of-48 passes for 251 yards with two
touchdowns and two interceptions, and he also took three sacks. On the ground,
leading rusher Akeem Hunt was bottled up for just 60 yards on 20 carries, and
he was also responsible for the aforementioned lost fumble.
With the Purdue offense turning the ball over early and often against
Northwestern, the Wildcats set the tempo with 50 first-half plays for 242
yards. The Boilermakers figured they caught a break when NU starting
quarterback Trevor Siemian exited with a knee injury and did not return.
However, they were unable to stop the running game that was spearheaded by
freshman Justin Jackson, who rumbled for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 23
carries.
Purdue’s run defense will no doubt need to tighten up as it gets ready to face
Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, the nation’s second-leading rusher (173.3 ypg).
Coleman has already set IU’s single-season rushing record (1,906) and is well
within reach of 2,000 yards on the ground. Last week, he ran for 228 yards and
three touchdowns against nationally-ranked Ohio State, which marked the third-
highest total ever against the Buckeyes. Quarterback Zander Diamont completed
only 11-of-27 passes for 114 yards and an interception in the loss.
Coleman’s 90-yard touchdown run gave Indiana a 20-14 lead with 7:17 remaining
in the third quarter, but OSU responded with 28 consecutive points to seize
control. By game’s end, the Hoosiers had allowed 24 first downs and 527 yards
from scrimmage. Sophomore safety Antonio Allen provided some life with a pair
of interceptions to go along with a team-high 11 tackles in the loss. Senior
cornerback Tim Bennett chipped in with nine stops and a forced fumble, while
three different Hoosiers registered a sack.
The last time these teams met, IU set school records in total yards (692) and
first downs (42). The Hoosiers also ran for 401 yards in that game. Purdue can
expect a similar game plan and a heavy dose of Coleman in this one.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Indiana 37, Purdue 23
