Purdue started the game just about as poorly as you can imagine. They allowed a 79 yard run from a converted wide receiver for a quick 7-0 Northwestern lead. Then they threw a quick interception. Northwestern, a team that averaged under 10 points per game, quickly scored again putting them up 14-0 before Purdue could really get their bearings.
After that Purdue was able to fight back with some nice runs by Doerue, some great plays from David Bell, and a nice drive by Aidan O’Connell that saw him go 8-8 as well as running for a first down.