Purdue Football Struggles Again: Boilermakers Shut Out 35-0 by Oregon at Ross-Ade Stadium

Boilermakers Shut Out 35-0 by Oregon

As the clock wound down at Ross-Ade Stadium on Friday night, the mood among the sparse crowd mirrored the gloomy season Purdue football has endured. Just a week after a promising comeback against Illinois, the Boilermakers fell flat once more, succumbing to the Oregon Ducks 35-0. This game underscored a troubling pattern for Purdue this fall: the familiar theme of “one step forward, two steps back.”

The season began with a solid win over Indiana State, quickly followed by an embarrassing loss that shattered morale. Despite glimpses of improvement on defense, the Boilermakers recently faced their first two-game stretch in which they allowed over 50 points—an unprecedented low in the program's history. After a brief resurgence on offense, Purdue was once again shut out at home, marking the first time they had failed to score since 2013.

Head coach Ryan Walters expressed disappointment, acknowledging the missed opportunity to capitalize on a beautiful night for football. “Our fans showed up, and it was a great atmosphere. I’m just disappointed we couldn’t deliver,” he said.

The game was marked by an offensive struggle, as Purdue failed to score more than 10 points for the fifth time in six games. Transitioning from Hudson Card to Ryan Browne at quarterback initially seemed promising, with Browne showcasing his potential in earlier games. However, against Oregon, he faced relentless pressure and finished with a lackluster 93 passing yards and one interception.

While Browne's performance was not ideal, Purdue's ground game showed signs of life, with Reggie Love III leading a rushing attack that gained 208 yards. Yet, as has been the case this season, the Boilermakers couldn’t convert opportunities into points. Despite crossing into Oregon territory multiple times, they managed only one legitimate scoring chance, which ended in a missed field goal.

Purdue's issues on offense were compounded by self-inflicted wounds—negative yardage plays and miscommunications. Walters noted, “We had early downs that put us in tough spots, especially against a talented team like Oregon.”

Defensively, Purdue struggled to contain Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, who carved through the secondary with ease, showcasing why he’s in Heisman discussions. Although the Boilermakers managed some stops, they ultimately fell victim to the Ducks’ explosive offense, which consistently found ways to score.

Despite the bleak outcome, Walters remains hopeful. He believes in the team’s resilience and their desire to improve. “I haven’t had to plead with them to keep fighting. They want to compete and play hard,” he said.

With a bye week ahead, the Boilermakers (1-6) have a chance to regroup before facing Northwestern in early November. This moment could be crucial for Purdue as they strive to salvage a season that has been fraught with challenges.

Purdue Football Struggles Again: Boilermakers Shut Out 35-0 by Oregon at Ross-Ade Stadium