PDF: Purdue-Rutgers statistics

Another week, another devastating loss for Purdue, Its third straight setback.

The Boilermakers fell 37-30 at home to previously 1-4 Rutgers, after leading 23-13 at half.

Purdue led by 10 at half, but was outscored 21-7 In the first quarter, Including a hundred-yard kickoff return Immediately following a Jack Plummer TD pass to David Bell that put the Boilermakers ahead 30-20 with 9:22 left in the third.

Third-string Scarlet Knight QB Johnny Langan tore Purdue up after halftime, running for a hundred yards and throwing a 60-yard TD. Rutgers had the ball nearly the entire fourth quarter.

A few things from this game ...

• The Boilermakers again had so many opportunities to separate themselves here and just like the Minnesota game, blew too many opportunities and made too many egregious mistakes. In the first half, it dropped an interception, then negated another with a penalty, during a Rutgers scoring drive. The kickoff return was a huge swing, and the big play the defense game up was as well.

Purdue should have had more cushion, even when it was up 10.

This is just not a solid enough football team right now to not experience such lapses that add up.

• Purdue's defense, regardless of circumstance, remains profoundly disappointing.

To give up nearly 40 points to Rutgers — a special teams breakdown being part of it — is just the last thing Purdue needed to see after last week's three-and-a-half quarters of futility at Minnesota. Purdue's down George Karlaftis and really missed Derrick Barnes after his fateful targeting ejection, but there seem to be deeper concerns here than just personnel limitations. Not sure this system is sticking.

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