Purdue makes it 7 Straight vs. Indiana State 

Indiana State Sycamores vs Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on, August 31, 2024. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)

West Lafayette, IN- College football is back, and in West Lafayette, excitement reached a fever pitch as fans poured in to watch the Purdue Boilermakers face off against the Indiana State Sycamores. This matchup marking only the seventh meeting between the two teams, brings a chance for Purdue to build on their dominant 56-0 victory over Indiana State in their last encounter in 2022.  

After winning the coin toss, Purdue opted to put their defense on the field first against the Sycamores, a decision that quickly proved wise. The Boilermakers’ defense stood firm, forcing Indiana State into a three-and-out on their opening drive. This early success gave Purdue momentum and energized fans eager to see the improved offense, led by returning starter Hudson Card.  

Indiana State Sycamores vs Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on, August 31, 2024. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)

Hudson Card, in his second season as the Boilermakers’ signal-caller, displayed comfort and confidence in the pocket, leading the offense with precision. He opened the game with a perfect 5/5 passing, culminating in a touchdown to Max Klare for Purdue’s first score of the season. Card’s early performance set the tone for an offense firing on all cylinders. 

Though Max Klare may have been Hudson Card’s favorite target, the quarterback spread the ball around throughout the first half. Jaron Tibbs and De’Nylon Morrissette each caught their first collegiate touchdowns, an exciting milestone for both players.  

We all know the saying, “Defense wins championships, but offense puts butts in seats.” This game had a mix of both. Purdue’s defense dominated, holding Indiana State to under 100 total yards. On the offensive side, the connection between Hudson Card and Max Klare was key, with Klare hauling in four catches for over 60 yards by halftime. Card was nearly perfect, completing 17 of 18 passes for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns. On a positive note for the Sycamores, they moved the ball down the field but missed a field goal as time expired before halftime. They also forced a fumble, recovered by Garrick Ollendieck.    

Indiana State Sycamores vs Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on, August 31, 2024. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)

The start of the second half mirrored the first as Purdue wasted no time asserting dominance. Despite it being early in the season, everything seemed to favor the Boilermakers. Hudson Card, having the best game of his career, masterfully orchestrated the offense with back-to-back scoring drives to open the third quarter. The highlight was a stunning 31-yard touchdown pass to Leland Smith that electrified the stadium. This marked Card’s fourth touchdown of the day, contributing to his record-setting performance. He finished 24-of-25 passing for 273 yards, achieving a 96% completion rate, tying the FBS record set by Georgia’s Greyson Lambert in 2015. 

Purdue coach Ryan Walters praised his offensive line for their stellar job in protecting the quarterback during the game. When asked about Hudson Card’s impressive performance, Walters expressed no surprise. “I’m not surprised because he’s been doing this since spring ball,” Walters said. He emphasized how much more comfortable and confident Card has become, not only in executing the offense but also in embracing his role as the team’s quarterback and leader. 

Indiana State Sycamores vs Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on ,August 31, 2024. (photo by Andre Hollis / fi360 News)

Boilermakers showed no signs of first-game jitters, dominating from start to finish on both sides of the ball and in special teams. Early in the fourth quarter, Elijah Jackson’s 69-yard touchdown run further demoralized Indiana State, extending the lead to 42-0. Shortly after, a blocked punt gave Purdue a short field, leading to their final score and sealing a convincing 49-0 victory. 

As a former Indiana State Sycamore football player, it was tough to watch, but major congratulations to the Boilermakers on their opening win. Up next for Purdue is a bye week before their highly anticipated, sold-out game against Notre Dame on September 14th.