WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025
What was supposed to be a late-afternoon kickoff under clear September skies turned into a marathon of waiting, lightning delays and steady rain that pushed kickoff back more than three hours. By the time Purdue and Southern Cal finally took the field at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday night, the sun was getting ready to set, but much of the crowd remained and the energy could be felt. The weather pause ended up feeling like a metaphor for Purdue’s evening: long stretches of waiting, brief flashes of hope, but ultimately a frustrating 33-17 defeat in its Big Ten opener.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21) pushes a leaping USC Junior WR Makai Lemon (6) out of bounds during the Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium
(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
Purdue moved the ball effectively at times, finishing with 365 yards of offense, but costly mistakes undercut its progress. Quarterback Ryan Browne delivered his most productive passing performance of the young season, completing 24 of 39 throws for 305 yards and a touchdown. He added one of the night’s more memorable highlights when a busted lateral turned into a scoop-and-sprint 34-yard rushing score. His improvisation ignited the stadium and cut into USC’s lead midway through the third quarter. However the true story of this evening was the threw three interceptions the sophomore threw, all in the red zone and one ending with a big man touchdown for the Trojans. Each time one could feel the momentum shifting sharply in the Trojans’ favor.
The Boilermakers’ running game did not offer much of an alternative and never found rhythm. Devin Mockobee led with 45 yards on 12 carries, but the team managed just 60 rushing yards on 28 attempts. That imbalance made Purdue lean heavily on Browne’s arm, and though receivers like Nitro Tuggle (seven catches, 70 yards, one touchdown) gave USC’s secondary issues, the lack of a ground threat allowed the Trojans to anticipate Purdue’s play-calling late.
Defensively, Purdue played with grit but couldn’t deliver the game-changing takeaway it needed and allowed USC to go 4 for 4 on fourth down. Myles Slusher and Charles Correa each set career highs in tackles, recording 12 and 11 respectively, while Demeco Kennedy registered a sack. Still, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava steered the offense efficiently with 282 passing yards and a rushing touchdown, while tailback Waymond Jordan added 77 yards on the ground. The defining moment came not from USC’s offense but from its defense: 360-pound tackle Jamaal Jarrett rumbled 70 yards with an interception return for a touchdown, a stunning swing that turned Ross-Ade from roaring to silent.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Defensive Lineman Jamarius Dinkins (55), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Lineman Marcus Moore Jr. (52), Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15), USC Junior S Christian Pierce (24) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Junior WR Ja'Kobi Lane (8), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tony Grimes (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Junior WR Ja'Kobi Lane (8), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Junior QB Jayden Maiava (14), USC Junior RB Waymond Jordan (2) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Junior WR Makai Lemon (6), Purdue University Junior Defensive Back Ryan Turner (12) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Junior WR Makai Lemon (6), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45), USC Redshirt Senior LB Eric Gentry (18) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45), USC Redshirt Senior LB Eric Gentry (18), USC Senior DE Anthony Lucas (6) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Junior RB Waymond Jordan (2), Purdue University Senior Linebacker Mani Powell (16) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Freshman WR Tanook Hines (16), Purdue University Junior Defensive Back Ryan Turner (12) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Junior QB Jayden Maiava (14) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Sophomore OL Tobias Raymond (73), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Lineman Demeco Kennedy (18) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45), USC Redshirt Senior LB Eric Gentry (18) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15), Purdue University Senior Running Back Malachi Thomas (24) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Junior QB Jayden Maiava (14), Purdue University Junior Defensive End CJ Madden (8), Purdue University Senior Linebacker Mani Powell (16) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Senior TE Lake McRee (87), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tony Grimes (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Junior QB Jayden Maiava (14), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4), Purdue University Senior Linebacker Mani Powell (16) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Junior RB Waymond Jordan (2), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21), USC Redshirt Junior QB Jayden Maiava (14), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Nitro Tuggle (0), USC Redshirt Senior S Bishop Fitzgerald (19) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Junior OL Kilian O'Connor (67) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Arhmad Branch (6) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Nitro Tuggle (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Michael Jackson III (2) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Linebacker Mani Powell (16), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Junior QB Jayden Maiava (14) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Linebacker Charles Correa (5), Purdue University Senior Linebacker Mani Powell (16) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Running Back Devin Mockobee (45), =USC Redshirt Senior LB Eric Gentry (18), USC Sophomore LB Desman Stephens II (23) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Nitro Tuggle (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Nitro Tuggle (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15), USC Redshirt Junior DT Devan Thompkins (8), USC Redshirt Junior S Kamari Ramsey (7) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Sophomore DT Jamaal Jarrett (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Sophomore DT Jamaal Jarrett (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Redshirt Sophomore DT Jamaal Jarrett (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Michael Jackson III (2), USC Sophomore LB Desman Stephens II (23) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Michael Jackson III (2) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Nitro Tuggle (0), Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Corey Smith (12) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Kicker Spencer Porath (35), Purdue University Junior Quaterback Bennett Meredith (18) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Freshman WR Tanook Hines (16), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: USC Freshman WR Tanook Hines (16), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tahj Ra-El (21) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Michael Jackson III (2), USC Sophomore CB Chasen Johnson (21) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Sophomore Quaterback Ryan Browne (15), USC Freshman DT Floyd Boucard (88) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 13, 2025: Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Tony Grimes (0) in Purdue Boilermaker Football vs University of Southern California Trojans at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
Afterward, head coach Barry Odom’s tone balanced frustration with perspective. “Against a good team, when you turn it over three times and you don’t get any back on the defensive side, this makes it really hard to win,” he said. He praised the resolve of his group despite the long night and the deficit, adding, “If we do anything but play to win until the scoreboard hits zero, then I’ve failed the organization.”
Purdue actually converted more third downs than USC and showed flashes of momentum in the second half, but those positives faded in the shadow of mistakes. The Boilermakers left points on the field, watched a close contest swing on one backbreaking turnover, and failed to generate the kind of opportunistic defensive plays USC made.
The result drops Purdue to 2-1 overall, 0-1 in Big Ten play, and reinforces the steep climb ahead within the conference. Still, Odom’s group showed enough resilience to suggest progress. The challenge now is finding consistency — protecting the football, developing a rushing attack that can keep defenses honest, and turning trips to the red zone into touchdowns.
Up next for the Boilers is a trip to South Bend and a battle with in-state rival, #8 Notre Dame
