Purdue Football vs Penn State

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – NOVEMBER 16, 2024 – The daunting rebuild facing the Purdue Boilermakers was laid bare on a chilly November afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium, as the No. 4 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions rolled to a commanding 49-10 victory. For a Purdue squad mired in a season of struggle, the contest served as a stark measuring stick, highlighting the chasm in talent and execution between a national title contender and a program in the throes of a youth movement.

From the outset, Penn State asserted its dominance. The Nittany Lions’ offense, a balanced and explosive unit, marched down the field with unnerving ease on their opening possession, culminating in a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Drew Allar to running back Kaytron Allen. It was a sign of things to come, as Purdue's defense, which has shown flashes of promise throughout the season, was unable to contain the multifaceted Penn State attack.

Purdue's offense, meanwhile, sputtered against a suffocating Nittany Lion defense. Quarterback Hudson Card, a bright spot for the Boilermakers in an otherwise trying year, was under constant duress, completing 11 of his 20 pass attempts for 151 yards. The offensive line, a persistent area of concern, struggled to protect Card and open lanes for the running game. The Boilermakers were held to a meager 85 yards on the ground, a testament to the stoutness of the Penn State front seven.

The first half was a showcase of Penn State's offensive firepower. Following their initial score, the Nittany Lions added a 15-yard touchdown pass from Allar to tight end Tyler Warren, who proved to be a matchup nightmare for the Boilermaker secondary all afternoon. Purdue managed to get on the board in the second quarter with a 22-yard field goal from Ben Freehill, a small victory in a half largely controlled by the visitors. However, Penn State quickly answered with a 10-yard touchdown run by Nicholas Singleton, sending the teams into the locker room with the Nittany Lions holding a commanding 21-3 lead.

Any hopes of a second-half resurgence for the Boilermakers were swiftly dashed. Penn State emerged from the break with a renewed sense of urgency, scoring three touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game well out of reach. The onslaught began with a 48-yard touchdown run by Warren, who took a direct snap and gashed the Purdue defense. That was followed by a 46-yard touchdown pass from Allar to Harrison Wallace III and a 49-yard scamper by backup quarterback Beau Pribula, who showcased the depth of talent at Penn State's disposal.

To their credit, the Boilermakers continued to fight. Late in the fourth quarter, with the outcome long decided, backup quarterback Ryan Browne led Purdue on a 5-play, 70-yard drive that culminated in a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Max Klare. It was a moment of positive reinforcement for a young team that has endured its share of adversity this season. Klare was a consistent target for the Boilermakers, hauling in a team-high seven receptions for 91 yards.

For Purdue head coach Ryan Walters, the lopsided defeat was another painful lesson in a season of growth. "We knew coming in that they were a top-tier opponent," Walters said in his post-game press conference. "I was proud of the way our guys competed until the final whistle, but we have to execute at a much higher level to have a chance in games like this. We'll watch the film, learn from our mistakes, and continue to build for the future."

The loss drops Purdue to 1-9 on the season, with a challenging road ahead. For Penn State, the victory keeps their College Football Playoff aspirations firmly intact as they continue their march through the Big Ten.

Individual Leaders

Purdue:

Passing: Hudson Card – 11/20, 151 YDS

Rushing: Jaheim Merriweather – 4 ATT, 35 YDS

Receiving: Max Klare – 7 REC, 91 YDS, 1 TD

Penn State:

Passing: Drew Allar – 17/19, 247 YDS, 3 TD

Rushing: Tyler Warren – 3 ATT, 63 YDS, 1 TD

Receiving: Tyler Warren – 8 REC, 127 YDS, 1 TD