Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/79101
THE AUTHORITY ON PURDUE ATHLETICS VOLUME 22, EX 13 • NOV. 30, 2011 In this issue: • Page 6: Bowl Scenarios Boilermakers Get Bucket, Bowl Back Purdue beats IU to reach six victories BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com A fterward in the locker room, players danced around the Bucket like it was "filled with gold," Coach Danny Hope said. Coaches were crying and grip- ping players in tight hugs. Pictures were snapped in all dif- ferent combos and poses — kissing the Bucket, clutching the Bucket, hoisting the Bucket, biting the "Ps" on the chain connected to the Bucket. Eventually, though, with the Bucket firmly back where it belongs, talk drifted from bragging rights to bigger stakes. Dallas? Houston? Detroit? Ha- waii?! Purdue players won't know the bowl destination until Sunday, but they're just happy to be having a discussion for the first time in their careers about where they could go bowling. "I might be pushing for Ha- waii," said Texan Carson Wiggs, who made four field goals to help Purdue secure a 33-25 victory over Indiana. Seniors Albert Evans and Jared Crank puckered up for the Old Oaken Bucket. Evans was the first Purdue player to snatch the case after the 33-25 victory, prompting teammate Joe Holland to say Evans was "ripping at it like a present at Christmas." Then he quickly redirected his thoughts: "I'll take anything I can get. I'm just excited to go." Purdue hasn't played in a bowl The next December/January issue of Gold & Black Illustrated mails on or around Dec. 20. The next issue of GBI EXPRESS will post at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com since 2007 when it beat Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. With the must-win ac- complished against the Hoosiers, the Boilermakers qualified for bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record. "It's probably the highest mo- ment in my Purdue career right now," senior safety Albert Evans said. "We've beat IU and gotten big wins Tom Campbell • Pages 7-8: Bucket Game In Pictures • Pages 16-17: The Slate • Page 22: Recruiting Updates before, but to put it all together in one season and be able to get to a bowl my last year here, most of the seniors, it's a big deal. Some of the seniors were here (as redshirting freshmen) when we went to the last bowl, but to be able to be a part of it and actually play, it's a big deal to us. So hopefully we got it started on the right track for years to come." But the pressure wasn't only lifted from the players with the victory, they said. Several talked after- ward about how badly they wanted to secure a bowl berth for the coaching staff. They've heard rumors that Coach Danny Hope is on the hot seat. And they only knew one way to do something about it. Receiver Antavian Edison, a ju- nior, said the team wanted to win for Hope and the staff. "We love our coaches," he said. "I want nothing to change." Even the players on the way out of the program, though, were fighting. 0 9 9 The number of fumbles by Purdue's running backs this season. The Boilers lost only five fumbles all season, the second- fewest in the Big Ten, with two of those coming on kick returns. Inside The NUMBERS Purdue's Big Ten rank (out of 12) in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing 26.4 points and 388.5 yards per game. Carson Wiggs' current streak of made field goals, improving him to 16-of-21 on the season. 21 29 State and Illinois (both 6-6) account for 12 of the wins, with the other four opponents totaling just nine. this season, compared to 69 by op- ponents. Purdue has not scored in the third quarter in six consecutive games, dating back to the Week 6 loss at Penn State. 2007 The number of points scored by the Boilermak- ers in the third quarter Victories by the six teams Purdue beat this season, against 49 losses. Ohio ance — the Motor City Bowl — be- fore returning to the postseason this year. The season of Purdue's last bowl appear- "You don't really know what will happen with the coaches, but GOLD & BLACK ILLUSTRATED • VOLUME 22, EXPRESS 13 • 1