Purdue Boilermakers Football Tickets - Games - Buy Purdue Boilermakers Football Tickets

Purdue's last outright Big 10 Title was in 1929 but have shared it 6 times since. In 2002 they were much better than their final 7-6 record. They were #1 in the Big 10 in both total offense and defense and their 6 losses came by a combined 26 points. Four of their losses came vs Top 10 teams and they outgained league foes by 144.5 ypg, but were -10 in turnovers and 4-4 in the Big 10. They had 2 OT losses in 2003 and could have easily finished higher than their final #19 ranking. In 2004 they had QB Orton back but also a very young D that had 8 new starters. They still managed to jump out to 5-0 and were ranked #5 when a fumble was returned 40 yards for a TD by Wisconsin with 2:36 left. They also blew late leads vs Michigan, N'wstrn, Iowa and once again in their bowl. Their 5 losses were by 2.8 ppg! Despite a 7-5 record, they outscored foes by a 14.6 ppg margin. Last year all the pieces were in place for a huge year as they had all 11 starters back from a defense that allowed just 17.2 ppg. They also did not have to play Ohio St or Michigan and had most of their toughest games at home. The team sold a school record 45,581 season tickets. They were #13 in the preseason AP poll, their highest since 1980 (#9). They got their first win on a Pac 10 home field since 1970 (they beat #3 Stanford) when they got past Arizona 31-24. They led Minnesota 28-20 after staging a terrific 2H comeback before giving up a TD and 2 pt conversion with 1:34 left. A lot of dropped passes cost them and still led by 7 in OT when Minny converted on a 4th & 8 for a TD and won in two OT's. Heading to the lockerroom, Kirsch commented that their season was basically over as they expected an undefeated campaign. That turned out to be the case as Purdue did not recover from that double OT loss (see Hardcore). Despite having all 11 starters back, Purdue allowed 10.9 more ppg than in 2005. At the end of the season some disgruntled players left the program and Tiller took verbal swipes at the players performances. After 8 straight bowl games, the longest streak in school history, they stayed home for the holidays. This year's squad does have THIRTY seniors including 15 5th -year seniors. The Boiler offense averaged 429 ypg and 30 ppg. Despite the loss of their QB and top RB, with 7 starters back and some solid additions, they should be more potent. Purdue's defense overachieved in 2004 allowing just 17.2 ppg despite only 3 returning starters. Last year the unit greatly underachieved with all 11 starters back yielding 28.1 ppg, their most since 1996. Despite only having five returning starters, the defense should be stronger in 2006. This is a less experienced team with only 12 starters back but once again they avoid Ohio St and Michigan and hope to be like the 2004 Auburn team and 2005 W Virginia team, which were off extremely disappointing years but rebounded.