Both Wake Forest and Purdue came into this game with something to prove. Wake Forest needed to show that last year’s 9 win season wasn’t a fluke and that they can build a sustainable program that’s a tough out each and every week. Purdue needed to show that they were a team that could win a non-conference game that matters. No offense to Indiana State but this is a different level of opponent. Purdue would need to prove it at home in front of a crowd that was deseperate for a win.
The game could not
have started better for the Boilermakers. Purdue ran an 8 play 75 yard drive to go up 7-0. It was the offense that we’d been told about all offseason. The drive included a perfect 3-3 from Ryan Browne who found Townsend for two straight passes before getting one to Burhenn. Other than that it was Purdue’s new number one running back Fame Ijeboi who got the ball on each run on that drive. Nothing huge but he did run it in for three yards. After that though, the Purdue defense came on the field and it appeared that defense would be optional as Wake Forest methodically marched down the field in a 13 play 73 yard drive that took 5:40 to tie the game 7-7.
Purdue would again drive down the field but stalled out at the 31. On came freshman kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano. It was a 49 yard attempt but it went wide left. He had the distance but just couldn’t get it between the uprights. A real missed opportunity for the offense. Wake Forest took advantage and drove down to the redzone. A credit to the Purdue defense that they stopped them from punching it into the endzone and forced them to settle for a FG to make it 10-7. Purdue couldn’t get anything going on their next drive and gave it right back to Wake who drove down to take a 17-7 lead.
Purdue had one last chance before the half and drove all the way down to the Wake Forest 4 yard line. It was second day and Purdue still had a timeout. So, two plays to try and punch it in and head into the half down just 14-10. On 2nd down Browne threw it to De’Nylon Morrissette on back to back plays but he was out of bounds on both plays. I’m gonna be honest, with two plays, a timeout, and only four yards I hated these calls. With just 4 yards to go and thte screen passes and Ijeboi doing well, why not try something like that? A run keeps the clock going sure, but you’ve got a timeout. You didn’t have to go right to the endzone, and even if you did you’ve gotta give your WR a chance to stay inbounds and Purdue didn’t do that. They settled for a FG, and a chorus of boos when the kicking unit trotted onto the field, to make it 17-10 at halftime. With Wake getting the second half kickoff it was a big opportunity for both teams to assert control.
Best play of the half though has to go to Ijeboi who broke the WF defender’s ankles on this one, look at him crumple:
Joe Tiller Memorial Player of the Game (JTMPOTG): Fame Ijeboi wins this gain this week as he put on a heroic display. 6 catches for 42 yards and 27 rushes for 114 yards. He had three touchdowns on the day.
The Purdue offense stalled out on four drives in this game. Purdue settled for field goals on four drives, making two of them, instead of finishing the drives with TDs. That would ultimately be the difference. Put the 48 yard miss aside and simply add 8 more points to Purdue’s total and it’s a whole new game. There would’ve been no need for overtime as Purdue would’ve waltzed to victory. Unfortunately, the playcalling in the redzone seemed to forget that Fame Ijeboi was on the field as they passed, passed, passed. Purdue fans let their displeasure be known with the boo birds coming out when the FG unit came on.
The second half saw Purdue fight their way back into the game and even have a chance to win it at the end. Purdue ran it down to score and go down by three. Wake Forest then made a series of inextricably bad play calls to go three and out and give Purdue a chance to win the game. It was another great series for the Purdue offense who went into the redzone and made some bad choices once again in the redzone. They had to settle for a FG to send it to overtime.
In OT both teams scored TDs on their first series which meant that 2 point conversions were necessary on the next one. Purdue went down to score but failed on the two point attempt. Then, the defense came onto the field and forced Wake Forest into a 3rd and 15 at the 17 yard line. Purdue chose not to bring pressure and instead dorp back in coverage. Wake Forest made a heroic play and stepped out right at the two yard line. It was called short of the line to gain at first and Purdue was the winner. But as the saying goes, not so fast my friend. Upon review Wake Forest was given the first down and would score the TD and get the conversion to walk out of Ross-Ade Stadium a 38-36 winner. It was quite a deflating moment after Purdue fans thought they’d won. Personally, I didn’t see enough to overturn it but I’m a biased blogger. All I know is that would’ve never happened to Michigan.
Much more to come on this one.
