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THE AUTHORITY ON PURDUE ATHLETICS VOLUME 22, EX 12 • NOV. 23, 2011 Not Just Another Game SClardie@GoldandBlack.com A victory over a rival. A chance to bring the Old Oaken Bucket back. A bowl berth. A potential job-saver. A program-mover. "It's pretty obvious the mag- nitude of this game," senior line- backer Joe Holland said. Purdue vs. Indiana. There hasn't been this much on the line for the Boilermakers in this rivalry game in some time. Not since 2002 has Purdue entered its final regular-season game needing a victory over Indi- ana to reach six wins and become bowl eligible. Last season, an overtime loss in the finale ended Danny Hope's second season on a sour note. He certainly doesn't want to become the first Purdue coach to lose to the hated Hoosiers in back-to-back sea- sons since Jim Colletto (1993, '94). "It's not just another game," Hope said. "It's a game that really make a difference in our season. A win this weekend brings the Bucket back to West Lafayette. It's a fantastic rivalry. It really is. I'll probably get asked 1,000 times this week about the rivalry. It's the type of game you want to coach in and the type of games you want to play in. GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com In this issue: • Pages 6-9: A Look At Indiana • Page 17: Danny Hope Feature • Pages 22-23: The Slate Of Opponents • Page 29: Recruiting Updates Purdue gets final chance to secure bowl bid against rival Indiana BY STACY CLARDIE "We won't go about it the same. I'm sure there will be more focus from the coaches and the players. Not that there's not already great focus, but something like this, a game like this, always heightens everything, and that's a lot of fun. It's prob- ably good to have it at the end of the season. All seasons are long seasons. To have a big rivalry game at the end adds some fuel to the fire at the end of the season, and it's going to be exciting." Though Purdue (5-6) is only about a touchdown fa- vorite in the game in Bloom- ington, there hasn't been an Indiana team that's been this bad in quite some time. At least according to sta- tistics. The Hoosiers rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in nearly every major category, such as last in total defense and ninth in total offense. And Indiana's lone vic- tory this season was against an FCS opponent. Not that the lack of suc- Last season, Indiana snatched the Old Oaken Bucket back with a victory at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue hasn't lost to the Hoosiers in back-to-back seasons since 1993-94. Tom Campbell cess has the Boilermakers preparing any differently, Holland said. "I'm probably a little bit biased as a senior and this be- ing my last Bucket game, but -3 3 Purdue's turnover margin on the season, after having four giveaways vs. Iowa. The Boilers have 16 turnovers this season and have taken the ball away 13 times. Inside The NUMBERS The number of consecutive Senior Day losses by Purdue, including to Michigan State in 2009, Indiana and 2010 and Iowa on Saturday. 11 26 Boilers, on average, have the ball 28:09 minutes per game. when opponents registered 31. 117 Purdue's ranking in the Big Ten in time of possession through 11 games. The Sacks allowed this sea- son by Purdue, the most it's given up since 2004, FBS programs. The Hoosiers allow 239.2 yards on the ground. Indiana's national ranking in rushing defense, out of 120 I would think it should be impos- sible to take them lightly," Holland said. "I don't think that thought should cross any of our minds. They're a Big Ten school, and they have Big Ten, Division I athletes. … They continue to improve ev- ery single week. I don't think that should be an issue for any of us." GOLD & BLACK ILLUSTRATED • VOLUME 22, EXPRESS 12 • 1