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Purdue's Rose Bowl Season Reflections--A.T. Simpson

Karpick_headshot500x500by:Alan Karpick•07/21/25•

AlanKarpick

At Simspon Monday Night Memories
Purdue receiver (1998-2001) A. T. Simpson (Tom Campbell).


Our July 21, 2025, edition of Chariot Auto Group 2001 Rose Bowl recollections features junior receiver A.T. Simpson. Simpson, a junior from Indianapolis during the Boilermakers’ 2000 Big Ten title run, had his most productive year with 22 catches and a couple of key scoring grabs.

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Simpson Played His Part When It was Time

A heralded recruit out of Indianapolis Cathedral H.S., A.T. Simpson proved to be an important option for quarterback Drew Brees during the Boilermakers’ 2000 Run for the Rose Bowl. Simpson may have never earned star status in West Lafayette, but his two TD receptions were key to Purdue earning a chance to win the Big Ten for the first time in 33 years.

His first TD helped the Boilermakers get some early distance in a Homecoming win versus Minnesota. His second was a 30-yard reception that was critical to the Boilermakers staying in the game in a crucial win at Wisconsin. After a scoreless first quarter at Camp Randall, the Badgers took a measure of control in the game, drawing first blood early in the second period. But Brees found Simpson for a 30-yard scoring pass to knot the score at 7-all, and a classic nip and tuck contest was on.

“It was like slow motion,” said Simpson when recalling what it was like to have the ball coming at him in the back of the end zone. “In practice, you catch a rhythm, and with our offense you may get opportunities, but it may be only one or two, so (I remember thinking) if you mess up, you may not get another for another few weeks, if ever again.

“I remember the ball moving significantly slower in game speed than it was in practice speed. It is kind of like a cartoon. It seemed to be in slow motion. I was trying to catch a Frisbee. When I caught it, I could have probably burst the ball as hard as I squeezed it. It was some good fun right there.”

After Ashante Woodyard seals the deal to deal with a scoop and score after Craig Terrill’s field goal block (below) in overtime, Purdue was not only alive in the Rose Bowl race, but it was in control of its own destiny.

“I recall to this day that that was the best pizza and Powerade,” Simpson said. “Man, that tasted good after a win like that.”

But Simpson’s role in one of the biggest plays in Purdue history–Brees’ “Holy Toledo” game-winning 64-yard pass to Seth Morales that delivered the Boilermakers to a heart-stopping 31-27 win over Ohio State– was key. Simpson was the third option for Brees on the fateful 64-yard pass play, and Simpson running the route to the max had something to do with Morales being wide open for the game-winning touchdown.

“A.T. did his job running the route hard, and making the Ohio State defensive backs pay attention to him,” assistant coach Scott Downing said. “That’s a play that everyone must do their job to get the result we needed, and A.T. could always be counted on to do that.”

Despite Brees having just thrown his fourth interception, which led directly to the Buckeyes taking a late fourth-quarter lead, Simpson never lost faith in his quarterback.

“Drew is Drew, and I knew Ohio State was going to take away the first and second options on the play and maybe the third, me,” Simpson said. “That’s when (OSU defensive back Mike) Doss bit down pretty hard on me, leaving Seth wide open to forever be famous.

“And it couldn’t happen to a better person.”

Simpson still has visions of Brees’ pass going over his head and thinking to himself, “Seth, catch it, catch it!”

“And when he gets to the end zone I run and pick him up, It was an awesome time.”

For Purdue fans, it was a time like no other.

More: Rose Bowl Recollections: Chukky Okobi | Vinny Sutherland

Gold and Black Illustrated Archives–2000 season game stories

Game 1: No. 15 Purdue 48, Central Michigan 0
Game 2: No. 14 Purdue 45, Kent State 10
Game 3: No. 21 Notre Dame 23, No. 14 Purdue 21
Game 4: No. 21 Purdue 38, Minnesota 24
Game 5: Penn State 22, No. 22 Purdue 20
Game 6: Purdue 32, No. 6 Michigan 31
Game 7: No. 21 Purdue 41, No. 17 Northwestern 28
Game 8: No. 17 Purdue 30, Wisconsin 24 (ot)
Game 9: No. 16 Purdue 31, No. 12 Ohio State 27
Game 10: Michigan State 30, No. 9 Purdue 10
Game 11: No. 17 Purdue 41, Indiana 13
Game 12: No. 4 Washington 34, No. 14 Purdue 24

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