End of the First Quarter

And it looks like somebody (or about 30-40 somebodys) forgot how to play the "Wildcat Way." The Boilermakers have benefitted from great field position in building their 14-0 lead. Purdue has put up 176 yards in the first quarter, as opposed to 42 for the Cats. Sutton has 3 rushes for 15 yards in his return.

Bacher will see a big number 5 in his dreams tonight

On a 1st and 10, Bacher way overshoots Sutton in the slot and throws it right into the arms of Purdue's Terrell Vinson, his second pick of the day and fifth on the season. After Vinson returns it to the 40, the Boilermakers work it down inside the 10 on two passes and an option to Dorien Bryant. After the Cats stopped them on the first three downs, the Boilers did a little play-action dink-and-dunk and got the score. Purdue 14, NU 0. 0:22 left in 1st.

Sometimes, fumbles work out for the best

After breaking for 32 yards down the sideline to the 1, Purdue's Jaycen Taylor got stuffed on 3rd and Goal, but fumbled the ball over the line, where teammate Dustin Keller fell on it for a score. After the shortest official review in history, the touchdown was confirmed. XP good. 5:29 to go in the first. Purdue 7, NU 0.

Sutton's officially not a decoy anymore

He got his second carry! It went for one yard on 3rd and 20! This followed a gimmick play where Bacher flipped the ball to Eric Peterman, just like in the schoolyard. Unlike in the schoolyard, Purdue was not fooled and Peterman lost 3 yards. That must have been what they were hiding from us evil media members at practice this week. Then Stefan Demos rugby-punted 34 yards and Dorien Bryant returned it to the NU 45. Someone remind me why rugby punting is a good idea.

Early Excitement

Sherrick McManis returns the ball to the Purdue 49. After a 9-yard completion, Tyrell Sutton gets his first carry in almost two months, breaking one for 13 yards down to the Purdue 27. But then C.J. Bacher's pass glances off the hands of SUPERback Brendan Mitchell and into the waiting arms of Purdue's Terrell Vinson (who made a nice play scooping it from just off the ground). No harm, no foul, though: Purdue couldn't score and had to punt.

Predictions

Sorry fr the late start, had some technology problems. The machines are finally rising against their imperial masters.

Predictions:
Chris - Purdue 41, NU 33 - late turnover gives Painter all medicine he needs
Matt - Purdue 51, NU 48 - but an NU win wouldn't be surprising...
David - Purdue 44, NU 37 (OT) - Cats not afraid to work overtime...neither are the Boilers

Predictions

Bacher brings his A game again and tears up an awful Minnesota secondary. But the team needs a shootout to win.

Northwestern 45, Minnesota 38

--Matt Baker

Defenses on both sides come to play -- only because the offenses don't. Northwestern barely wins the turnover war to get their second Big Ten win.

Northwestern 38, Minnesota 31

--Chris Gentilviso

Refer to Gameday. 54-53, NU.

--Abe Rakov