Broncos Fall To Purdue In Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl: Purdue 37, Western Michigan 32
Game Stats
Post Game Notes
Detroit, Mich. -- Western Michigan was searching for the first bowl win in program history, however the Broncos suffered a 37-32 heartbreaking loss to Purdue in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Tuesday evening in front of 46,177 fans from Ford Field in Detroit.
Trailing 37-25 with 8:51 left in the fourth quarter, the Broncos kept fighting and making trips in the red zone. The work paid as Alex Carder found receiver Chleb Ravenall for a five yard touchdown pass to cap a five play, 61 yard (1:17) scoring drive to cut the Purdue lead, 37-32 with 4:28 left in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos defense forced the Boilermakers to punt from their own 37 yard line and Carder and his offense received the football at the Western Michigan 13 yard line with 2:09 left in regulation and trailing by five. The drive started with an 11-yard first down pass to Brian Fields, however on the next play, Carder was sacked and fumbled which was recovered by the Purdue defense at the 24 yard line to seal the contest.
Several records were set in the contest by Western Michigan senior wide receiver Jordan White as the Cleveland, Ohio native became the MAC’s single-season leader in receiving yards, the MAC’s career leader in receiving yards and the MAC leader in single-game receiving yards in a bowl game. White also set the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl record with 13 receptions and 265 yards. White collected 1,911 receiving yards this season, surpassing Bowling Green receiver Freddie Barnes previous mark of 1,770 yards in 2009. White also surpassed Marshall’s Darius Watts (4,031) career receiving yards with his career total of 4,187 receiving yards. His 13 receptions also gave him 306 career receptions, which ties a MAC career receptions record with Josh Davis of Marshall (2000-03).
Western Michigan’s Carder finished the game 31-of-57 passing for 438 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions.
Western Michigan opened the second half by marching down to the Purdue one yard line, however, the Broncos had to settle for a 21-yard field goal by kicker John Potter. The nine-play, 66 yard drive cut the Purdue lead to nine points, 27-18, with 10:55 left in the third quarter.
The Broncos defense forced a quick three and out and the Western Michigan offense kept moving the ball, however were stalled at the Purdue 20-yard line after failing on a fourth and one incomplete pass. Purdue responded by driving 80-yards in four plays as quarterback Caleb TerBush found Gary Bush for a 33-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to open a 34-18 lead with 6:49 left in the third quarter.
Western Michigan responded with a one yard touchdown run by running back Tevin Drake to cap a five play, 29 yard (1:45) drive to cut the Purdue lead, 34-25, with 1:55 left in the third quarter.
Purdue converted a 26-yard field goal by Carson Wiggs to cap an 11-play, 64 yard (5:14) scoring drive and a 37-25 lead with 11:41 left in the fourth quarter.
The Broncos defense opened the game and forced the first turnover as linebacker Mitch Zajac recovered a fumble by Purdue quarterback Caleb TerBush, which was forced by defensive end Paul Hazel, and the Broncos cashed in on the very next play. Quarterback Alex Carder connected with receiver Jordan White on a 49-yard touchdown pass at the 9:14 mark of the first quarter. On the extra point attempt, kicker John Potter took the handoff and rushed two yards for the successful two-point conversion and the 8-0 early lead.
Late in the first quarter, Carder was intercepted by Purdue cornerback Albert Evans, who returned the ball 19 yards to the Western Michigan 38 yard line. The Boilermakers capitalized with a nine-play, 38-yard (4:05) scoring drive to cut the Broncos lead, 8-7. Purdue quarterback Robert Marve found running back Reggie Pegram in the right flat for a one-yard touchdown pass with 17 seconds left in the first quarter.
After Carder’s second interception of the half, the Boilermakers started at the Bronco 35-yard line and three plays later, kicker Carson Wiggs 49-yard field goal gave Purdue their first lead of the game, 10-8, with 10:34 left in the second quarter.
The Broncos regained the lead as Carder found receiver Josh Schaffer for a one-yard touchdown pass to cap a 12-play, 74 yard drive at the 7:00 mark of the second quarter for a 15-10 lead.
Purdue kick returner Raheem Mostert took the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to regain the lead, 17-15. On the next kickoff, Purdue was once again successful as the Boilermakers recovered the onside kick, which led to a six-play, 61 yard scoring drive as Reggie Pegram darted in from one yard for a 24-15 lead with 4:57 left in the half.
Purdue converted a 19-yard field goal at the end of the first half by Wiggs to cap an eight play, 42-yard drive to open a 27-15 halftime lead.
Western Michigan was searching for the program’s first bowl win. In four previous bowl appearances, the Broncos were 0-4 with losses in the 2008 Texas Bowl (38-14 to Rice), the 2007 International Bowl (27-24 to Cincinnati), the 1988 California Bowl (35-30 to Fresno State) and the 1961 Aviation Bowl (28-12 to New Mexico).
The MAC is now 2-1 in bowl games this season. Temple defeated Wyoming 37-15 in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl and Ohio dropped Utah State 24-23 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, both games were played on Dec. 17.
Toledo will play in the next MAC bowl game as the Rockets play Air Force in the Military Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 4:30 pm ET on ESPN from Washington, DC.
