Purdue rolled by Central Michigan; Notre Dame next
Central Michigan had complete control from the opening minutes and beat the Boilermakers 38-17 on Saturday.
“I never felt like we were in rhythm throwing the football,” Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said. “Our drop-back passes have to be much more productive.”
Danny Etling was 17-of-32 for 126 yards and two interceptions. Backup Austin Appleby didn’t fare much better, completing 7-of-17 passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Central Michigan never even gave the Boilers a chance. The Chippewas scored early on when Brandon Greer returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown just 4:30 into the game.
Central Michigan forced the Boilermakers to punt before Anthony Rice scored on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Cooper Rush to give the Chippewas a 14-0 lead. Etling scored on a 4-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to trim Purdue’s deficit to 14-7, but that was as close as the Boilermakers got.
The Boilermakers had seven penalties for 69 yards, including one early in the second quarter when junior cornerback Frankie Williams was ejected for a targeting call one play into a Central Michigan scoring drive that put the Chippewas ahead, 21-7.
Things only got worse for Purdue. The Boilers were called for holding on the kickoff to start a drive that ended in a missed field goal.
“We have to be able to stop the run, and we have to be able to hold onto the football offensively,” Hazell said. “They responded and scored early in the game, so we always were fighting uphill. All of us have to take a close look at what we are doing and make sure we are better as we move forward.”
Things could continue to get worse. Purdue will face Notre Dame at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday.
