The 3-2-1: Purdue's win at Indiana to clinch the Big Ten West title
Purdue’s headed to the Big Ten title game, clinching the West championship outright with Saturday’s 30-16 Old Oaken Bucket win at Indiana. The Boilermakers will face Michigan at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Devin Mockobee totaled 150-plus yards and a touchdown and Aidan O’Connell threw second-half touchdowns to Payne Durham and Charlie Jones as Purdue overcame a sluggish first half after which it trailed 7-3. Indiana’s loss of QB Dexter Williams to injury affected the Hoosiers and the Boilermakers took control after halftime.
PDF: Purdue-Indiana stats
Three things …
PURDUE’S TWO GODSENDS SHOW UP AGAIN
Devin Mockobee and Charlie Jones, where would Purdue have been this season without the two non-traditional recruits, who’ve been the Boilermakers’ two best skill-position offensive players this season.
It was only fitting that it was Mockobee’s big day and Jones’ big play that really capped off a championship for the Boilermakers.
Jones caught four passes for 143 yards and a dagger of a 60-yard TD. Mockobee ran for 99 yards, with a 27-yard score.
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BIG RESPONSES BY THE DEFENSE
Purdue benefited from IU losing the quarterback who was problematic in the first half, but the Boilermaker defense was suffocating after halftime, allowing just three points. That included a couple of fourth-down stops when Indiana was driving and finally an emphatic final stop that resulted in Cory Trice‘s TD one snap after Purdue sacked Connor Bazelak at the 1.
IT’S NEVER EASY
Anyone who thought this would be little more than a coronation for Purdue hasn’t been paying attention all season. Nothing’s been easy for this Boilermaker team, which finds ways one way or another to always be in close games.
The offense didn’t get anything done in the first half, which is not a first, but to its credit, Jeff Brohm found some answers after halftime.
It was a big response by Purdue with everything on the line.
