OSU opponent watch: Purdue
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
12/05/12 at 3:42 AM
A closer look at the Boilermakers
Consecutive bowls: Purdue will play in bowl games in back-to-back years for the first time since 2006-07. The Boilermakers defeated Western Michigan 37-32 in the 2011 Little Caesers Pizza Bowl in Detroit.
"I am happy for and proud of the 20 seniors on our team," Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke said. "When we were sitting 3-6, having lost five straight games, many people gave up on this group. But those seniors - and other leaders in the locker room - didn't quit and didn't let their teammates quit. Their backs were against the wall, and they worked extremely hard to win three straight games and earn the reward of postseason play."
Despite the season-ending surge, coach Danny Hope was fired. Receivers coach Patrick Higgins is the interim coach.
Purdue fans in Dallas?: Burke said Purdue has more than 13,000 alums within 250 miles of the DFW Metroplex. "So my hunch is there will be a lot of gold and black at the Cotton Bowl."
Resume lacking: Purdue went 6-6 and did not beat a team that finished with a winning record. The Boilermakers beat five FBS teams whose collective record was 17-43. The best thing Purdue did was play close-call games against two unbeaten teams, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Offense: Purdue ranks in the middle of the pack nationally in every major statistical category. The Boilermakers are 59th in rushing, 54th in passing, 59th in total offense and 58th in scoring.
Defense: Purdue is 70th in total defense, 71st in scoring defense, 80th in run defense and 51st in passing yards allowed.
