WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – NOVEMBER 2, 2024:
In a back-and-forth Big Ten battle at Ross-Ade Stadium, the Purdue Boilermakers suffered a gut-wrenching 26-20 overtime loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday. A promising fourth-quarter comeback by the Boilermakers was ultimately undone in the extra period, dropping Purdue's record to 1-7 on the season.
Purdue quarterback Hudson Card delivered a valiant performance in his return to the lineup, throwing for 267 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-37 passing. His primary target was wide receiver Jahmal Edrine, who hauled in five catches for 54 yards, including a crucial 6-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter that brought the Boilermakers back into the game.
The game began as a defensive struggle, with both teams trading field goals in the first quarter. Northwestern struck first with a 39-yarder, but Purdue's Spencer Porath answered with a 26-yard field goal to tie the score at 3-3. The Wildcats then seized momentum with a 51-yard touchdown run by running back Joseph Himon II, followed by a 1-yard touchdown plunge from Cam Porter in the second quarter to build a 17-3 lead.
Facing a significant deficit, Card engineered a critical 12-play, 87-yard drive just before halftime. The drive was capped by his touchdown pass to Edrine, cutting the Northwestern lead to 17-10 at the break.
The Boilermakers continued to claw their way back in the second half. A 24-yard field goal by Porath in the third quarter narrowed the gap to 17-13. After a Northwestern field goal extended their lead to 20-13, Purdue's offense once again rose to the occasion. Running back Devin Mockobee punched in a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:16 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 20-20, electrifying the home crowd and forcing overtime.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Running Back Cam Porter (1) gets stuffed by Purdue University Senior Defensive Lineman Cole Brevard (91) and Purdue University Junior Linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (14) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Wide Receiver Frank Covey IV (16) after catching a first down pass during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Freshman Defensive Back Smiley Bradford (6) and Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dillon Thieneman (31) try to catch an interception against Northwestern University Wide Receiver A.J. Henning (8) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver CJ Smith (9) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver CJ Smith (9) after catching a pass for a first down during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Senior Quaterback Hudson Card (1) handing off to Purdue University Senior Running Back Reggie Love III (23) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Wide Receiver Frank Covey IV (16) fumbles the fall after a hard hit by Purdue University Freshman Defensive Back Smiley Bradford (6) and Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson II (7) recovers a fumble by Northwestern University Wide Receiver Frank Covey IV (16) after bieng hit hard by Purdue University Freshman Defensive Back Smiley Bradford (6) and Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Antonio Stevens (11) celebrating after an interception with Purdue University Freshman Defensive Back Smiley Bradford (6) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) jumps over Northwestern University Defensive Back Theran Johnson (10) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Quaterback Jack Lausch (12) runs for a first down during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Jaron Tibbs (13) tries to catch a pass while being defended by Northwestern University Defensive Back Theran Johnson (10) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Senior Quaterback Hudson Card (1) and Purdue University Junior Wide Receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) celebrate after scoring a touchdown during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Purdue Twirling during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dillon Thieneman (31), Northwestern University Tight End Duke Olges (2) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Tight End Thomas Gordon (87) tackled by Purdue University Senior Linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Freshman Wide Receiver Shamar Rigby (16) catches a pass while Northwestern University Defensive Back Josh Fussell (13) defends him during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Senior Quaterback Hudson Card (1) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Senior Running Back Reggie Love III (23) Northwestern University Defensive Back Theran Johnson (10), Northwestern University Linebacker Greyson Metz (57) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Quaterback Jack Lausch (12), Purdue University Senior Linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Quaterback Jack Lausch (12) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Junior Tight End Drew Biber (82), Northwestern University Defensive Back Theran Johnson (10) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Freshman Wide Receiver Shamar Rigby (16), Northwestern University Linebacker Mac Uihlein (37), Northwestern University Defensive Back Damon Walters (21), Northwestern University Linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. (5) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Jaron Tibbs (13) catches a pass at the goaline while Northwestern University Defensive Back Josh Fussell (13) goes in for the tackle during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) pushes towards the goal line while Purdue University Junior Wide Receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) trys to block Northwestern University Linebacker Mac Uihlein (37) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) celebrates with Purdue University Senior Quaterback Hudson Card (1) after scoring a touchdown during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Golduster Dance team during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Purdue University Senior Rush End Jireh Ojata (99) tackles Northwestern University Running Back Cam Porter (1) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Wide Receiver Hayden Eligon II (80) goes up for the hail mary while Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dillon Thieneman (31) trys to get the interception during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Running Back Cam Porter (1) during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Wide Receiver A.J. Henning (8) is wide open for a catch in overtime during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 2, 2024: Northwestern University Wide Receiver A.J. Henning (8) runs in the winning touchdown in overtime during the Purdue University Boilermakers vs Northwestern University Wildcats Football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
In OT, Purdue's offense had the first possession but on a 4th and 5, Head Coach Ryan Walters decided to go for it and was unsuccessful. Many would question the judgement having not won a game in Big Ten play, an it would not have mattered anyway . Northwestern capitalized on their opportunity, as quarterback Jack Lausch connected with a wide open Himon for a 22-yard game-winning touchdown pass.
The Boilermakers will travel to Columbus, OH to take on the Buckeyes next week as they continue their search for a second victory of the season.
