EAST LANSING, Mich. – November 22, 2024:
In a season defined by agonizing setbacks and tantalizing glimpses of progress, the Purdue Boilermakers once again found themselves on the wrong side of a hard-fought contest, falling to the Michigan State Spartans 24-17 under the Friday night lights of Spartan Stadium. The loss marked Purdue's tenth consecutive defeat, dropping them to a frustrating 1-10 on the season in a game that mirrored their year-long narrative: a slow start, a spirited comeback, and ultimately, heartbreak.
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Wide Receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) has a pass slide through his hands in the fourth quarter of the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
For the Boilermakers, the frigid November air seemed to carry a familiar chill in the first half. After an opening drive that culminated in a 40-yard field goal by Ben Freehill to give Purdue an early 3-0 lead, the offense went cold. The subsequent possessions were a litany of stalled drives and missed opportunities, a stark contrast to a Michigan State squad hungry to keep its bowl aspirations alive.
The Spartans, under the guidance of first-year head coach Jonathan Smith, seized control of the contest in the second quarter. Quarterback Aidan Chiles, a dynamic but at times inconsistent signal-caller, found his rhythm, connecting with Montorie Foster Jr. for a 7-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play drive. The momentum continued to swing in Michigan State's favor as they added a 43-yard field goal and then capitalized on a costly fumble by Purdue's Devin Mockobee. The turnover led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Nate Carter, extending the Spartan lead to 17-3.
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Running Back Nate Carter (5) during pre-game wamrups before the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Defensive Lineman Jalen Thompson (9) during pre-game wamrups before the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Running Back Brandon Tullis (28) during pre-game wamrups before the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) smiling at some freinds during pre-game wamrups before the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Spirit Squad Cheerleading, Purdue University with Junior Cheerleader Micah Huckaby during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Tight End Max Klare (86) jumps to avoid a defender during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) iracing down the field after catching a pass during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) trys to shake off Michigan State University's Defensive Lineman Khris Bogle (2) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) breaks through the line during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Senior Quaterback Hudson Card (1) looking down the field during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Wide Receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (3) takes a big hit from Purdue University's Sophomore Linebacker Hudson Miller (40) during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Defensive Back Kyndrich Breedlove (10) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Quaterback Aidan Chiles (2) ithrowing a pass during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Quaterback Aidan Chiles (2), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Antonio Stevens (11) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Quaterback Aidan Chiles (2) trying to evade Purdue University's Freshman Defensive Back Tarrion Grant (12), during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Running Back Kay'ron Lynch-Adams (15) running away from Purdue University Senior Linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) during the Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Quaterback Aidan Chiles (2) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dillon Thieneman (31) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Running Back Nate Carter (5) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Running Back Nate Carter (5), Purdue University Senior Linebacker Kydran Jenkins (4) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Tight End Max Klare (86), Michigan State University Linebacker Jordan Hall (5) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45), Michigan State University Defensive Lineman Anthony Jones (8) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Tight End Max Klare (86) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Senior Quaterback Hudson Card (1) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Jaron Tibbs (13), Purdue University Freshman Defensive Back Smiley Bradford (6) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Sophomore Tight End Max Klare (86) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Kam Brown (4), Michigan State University Defensive Back Andrew Brinson IV (18) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Michigan State University Quaterback Aidan Chiles (2), Purdue University Redshirt Freshman Quaterback Ryan Browne (15) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Wide Receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 22, 2024: Purdue University Junior Wide Receiver Jahmal Edrine (7) in Purdue University Boilermakers at Michigan State University Spartans Football game at Spartan Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Bowen Arrow Photography / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
The most back-breaking sequence for the Boilermakers came just before the half. After a promising drive that saw a crucial fourth-down conversion, a 30-yard field goal attempt by Freehill was blocked. Michigan State took over and marched 84 yards in under two minutes, with Chiles finding Carter for a 20-yard touchdown pass with just 41 seconds left on the clock. The flurry of points sent Purdue into the locker room facing a daunting 24-3 deficit.
"We dug ourselves a hole that was just too deep to climb out of," a visibly frustrated Purdue head coach Ryan Walters said postgame. "You can't have those kinds of mistakes – the turnover, the blocked kick – against a Big Ten opponent and expect to win. We gave them too many opportunities, and they took advantage."
However, the second half saw a different Boilermaker team emerge. The offense, which had been stagnant for much of the first 30 minutes, found a spark. Quarterback Hudson Card, who had been under pressure for much of the evening, began to connect with his receivers on chunk plays. A methodical 10-play, 73-yard drive in the third quarter was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Mockobee, breathing life back into the Purdue sideline and cutting the deficit to 24-10.
The fourth quarter saw the Boilermakers' rally intensify. Card orchestrated another impressive drive, finding his reliable tight end, Max Klare, for a 7-yard touchdown to make it a one-score game at 24-17 with just under 14 minutes to play. Card finished the night with a gritty performance, completing 26 of 47 passes for 342 yards and a touchdown, repeatedly standing in the pocket and delivering strikes despite the pass rush. Klare was his favorite target, hauling in seven catches for 83 yards and a score.
With the momentum squarely on their side, the Boilermakers had multiple chances to tie the game. However, a promising drive was thwarted by an interception, and on their final possession, a fourth-and-six pass fell incomplete, allowing the Spartans to run out the clock.
"I'm proud of the way our guys fought back in the second half," Walters added. "They showed a lot of heart and resiliency. We just need to find a way to play a complete 60 minutes of football. That's been the story for us this year."
For Michigan State, the victory was a crucial step towards securing a bowl bid in what has been a transitional season. While their offense was held scoreless in the second half, the early lead proved to be enough to withstand Purdue's late surge.
The Boilermakers will now look to their final game of the season, a rivalry matchup against Indiana for the Old Oaken Bucket, as a chance to end a trying year on a high note and build some momentum heading into the offseason.
Individual Leaders
Purdue:
Passing: Hudson Card – 26/47, 342 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Devin Mockobee – 12 ATT, 28 YDS, 1 TD
Receiving: Max Klare – 7 REC, 83 YDS, 1 TD
Michigan State:
Passing: Aidan Chiles – 15/31, 159 YDS, 2 TD
Rushing: Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams – 20 ATT, 85 YDS
Receiving: Nate Carter – 3 REC, 27 YDS, 1 TD
