Instead of having a competitive half today Purdue was rolling for all of 12 minutes. The Boilers opened with a field goal drive, then used an interception and long return by C.J. Parker to set up a short field. Purdue capitalized with a short TD drive and was suddenly ahead 10-0. Everything looked good. Purdue even forced a punt and had a chance for more.
That’s when Northwestern arrived, however.
David Blough threw an ugly interception to Montre Hartage that set up Northwestern’s first touchdon. The teams then traded punts, with Hunter Niswander shanking one to give Purdue possession at the Northwestern 24 early in the second quarter.