WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The thermometer at Ross–Ade Stadium read 24°F at kickoff, officially marking the coldest home game in Purdue history, but the reception the Boilermakers received from their arch-rivals was far colder.
In the 100th trophy-game edition of the Old Oaken Bucket, the Indiana Hoosiers dismantled Purdue 56-3, capping the first undefeated regular season (12-0) in program history. With the victory, Indiana officially punched their ticket to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Football Championship Game against Ohio State.
After a sluggish start where Indiana held a narrow 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter, the game unraveled rapidly for Purdue. The Hoosiers exploded for 49 unanswered points, turning a rivalry grudge match into a coronation.
Indiana’s offense, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, overcame early struggles in the freezing wind to manage the game efficiently. Mendoza finished 8-of-15 for 117 yards and two touchdowns, but it was his legs—and the legs of his backfield—that broke Purdue’s spirit.
The story of the night was Indiana’s physical superiority at the line of scrimmage. The Hoosiers amassed a staggering 355 rushing yards, averaging 9.6 yards per carry and rendering the passing conditions irrelevant.
Leading the charge was running back Roman Hemby, who transferred his dynamic playmaking ability into rivalry lore. Hemby carved up the Boilermaker defense for a season-high 152 yards on just 12 carries, highlighted by a massive 82-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter that effectively ended the competitive phase of the game. "The O-line was moving mountains out there," Hemby said post-game. "When I saw that gap open up on the 82-yarder, I knew nobody was catching me. We wanted to run the ball down their throats, and that’s what we did."
For Purdue, the loss capped a miserable 2-10 season (0-9 in Big Ten play) in Head Coach Barry Odom's debut year. The Boilermakers were unable to sustain drives, with quarterback Ryan Browne forced to throw 47 times, completing 25 for 238 yards and an interception as the run game was stifled.
Odom was very blunt in his press conference "We have a lot of work to do. And I’ll be the first to say it — I take responsibility. I’m accountable. Coaching is a results business, and this result is unacceptable. To our fans: I know it’s tough. I know you expected better. So do we. But I ask for your patience and your support as we continue to build. We’re committed to building this program the right way — with integrity, effort, discipline, and accountability."
Unfortunately for the Boilers, they'll have to wait another 280 days to see if these statements come true.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Purdue Boilermakers vs Indiana Hoosiers Football at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
