Purdue shows poise, confidence in win over Western Michigan
By BROCK SANDERS
ISL Correspondent
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – On Saturday, we saw a different Purdue Boilermakers team than the one we saw last year.
This version of the Boilermakers demonstrated, poise, confidence and grit in a 43-34 win over Western Michigan. It was Purdue’s highest scoring output since the 2012 season, and was Purdue’s second win in two years.
Boilermakers middle linebacker Sean Robinson said it was a good feeling to get a win after last year’s 1-11 campaign.
“We need to harness this feeling of winning and remember what it feels like,” he said.
Late in the third quarter, when the momentum seemed to be shifting towards the Broncos, B.J. Knauf came up with a huge third down reception that would lead to a Gabe Holmes score, putting the Boilers up 37-21.
“That one catch by B.J. and the catch by (Justin) Sinz, those are huge plays in the game,” Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said. “It’s clock, it’s allowing yourself to call more offensive plays, it’s potential points…that’s the whole ballgame in critical situations.”
On the defensive side, the Boilers were solid other than a couple of breakout plays. Disregard a pair of 61 and 26 yard touchdown runs by Jarvion Franklin, and Purdue played pretty well defensively.
Frankie Williams had an outstanding game with 119 return yards, seven tackles, and a 56-yard interception return that helped the Boilers take back the lead at 20-14 in the second quarter.
Raheem Mostert rushed 22 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. He showed a glimpse of his explosiveness on a 34-yard run that set Purdue up for a score. Mostert is an outstanding track athlete as well as a football player — he won Great Lakes Region track athlete of the year last year as a junior. His ability to create plays should help open up the pass game a little more for Danny Etling and the veteran receiving core this season.
A scary moment came late in the game, when Western Michigan cornerback Donald Celiscar lowered his head and hit Mostert low, knocking Celiscar completely unconscious on the field. Athletic trainers and personnel immediately rushed to his side, and Celiscar fortunately regained consciousness and was able to walk off the field with assistance. He was taken to the hospital for further tests to determine the extent of the injury.
The Boilermakers host Central Michigan next with a focus on growth.
“I think there’s a lot of room for improvement,” quarterback Danny Etling said, “it’s nice to get a win out of it when you still think you have the potential to keep getting better.”
