Purdue football falls to Northwestern in overtime

WEST LAFAYETTE – Hudson Card established himself as Purdue football's top quarterback.

At least until Saturday's 20-26 overtime loss to Northwestern at Ross-Ade Stadium.

After opening with Card as the starter, the Boilermakers, true to their promise of using two quarterbacks, replaced him with Ryan Browne.

After rushing for a total of 28 yards on two drives with Browne, Card played the quarterback role for the remainder of the game.

Card finished 21 of 37 for 267 yards.

Another surprising decision from Purdue football in overtime

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters faced a fourth-and-six in overtime and gave up a 38-yard field goal attempt. Instead, Card threw his third straight incompletion throw.

Despite an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that forced Northwestern to start at the 40, the Wildcats only needed two plays to find the end zone.

This comes three weeks after Walters decided to forgo an extra point and go for a two-point conversion at Illinois. That play backfired after Browne was sacked, sealing a 50-49 defeat.

Purdue football’s defensive woes continue

Northwestern was statistically the worst offense in the Big Ten, averaging 18.4 points and 271.1 yards per game.

At halftime, the Wildcats already had 212 yards and led 17-10.

Purdue hasn't led in the first half since a 49-0 win over Indiana State on Aug. 31.

The Wildcats finished with 424 and increased that number against Purdue's worst defense in the conference.

Playmakers perform for Purdue

Purdue's offense has been characterized primarily by its running game over the last two seasons.

The Boilermakers had problems on site on Saturday.

Jahmal Edrine, who was projected to be Purdue's top receiver last season before tearing his ACL in the preseason,

Tight end Max Klare, Purdue's leading receiver this season, was instrumental in a touchdown drive late in the first half, with catches of 12, 13 and 14 yards on three consecutive plays. Jaron Tibbs set up Edrine's touchdown with two straight catches for 30 yards to put Purdue at the 6.

Card totaled 90 yards rushing and passing on an 87-yard drive.

Reversal of luck

Yanni Karlaftis grabbed a loose ball out of the air and raced toward the goal line late in the third quarter.

Purdue thought it was a golden opportunity to take the lead.

The fumble was recovered and Northwestern capped a 15-play drive with a field goal that gave the Wildcats a 20-13 lead. During that drive, what would have been a third-and-17 turned into an automatic first down after Jireh Ojata received a hands-to-the-face penalty.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.

Another surprising decision from Purdue football in overtime

Purdue football’s defensive woes continue

Playmakers perform for Purdue

Reversal of luck

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