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MINNESOT A 44, PURDUE 28 PURDUE VS. MINNESOTA GAME STORY A LOOK BACK AT SATURDAY'S TOP PLAYS AND PLAYERS SClardie@GoldandBlack.com BY STACY CLARDIE day at Minnesota. The following is a look at the top-five plays from Purdue's 44-28 loss Satur- scored on its first offensive series. It was the running game, a good sign, that helped the Boilermakers get into the red zone early on Saturday. On second down out of the I forma- No.5 For the third consecu- tive game, Purdue good play of the half for Purdue. Minnesota's offense answered on its tion, Akeem Shavers took a handoff and headed inside left tackle with Brandon Cottom leading the way. Cottom took out a linebacker, and Shavers got down- field blocks from Gary Bush and Dolapo Macarthy to rip off a 40-yard run. Four plays later on third-and-goal, Purdue lined up in I formation again from the 1-yard line. Caleb TerBush used a play action, rolled right and delivered a strike to Cottom in the end zone for the touchdown. It actually was the tougher of two options on the play. Receiver Antavian Edison was standing alone, uncovered, on the left side of the formation, but TerBush never saw him. No.4 The touchdown, though, was the last sneak on fourth-and-one, Philip Nelson took advantage of Purdue's secondary. The Boilermakers were figuring the true freshman QB would come out and try to complete short passes to gain some confidence. So when Derrick Engel faked a slant and Nelson used a shoulder fake, cornerback Frankie Williams bit hard. En- gel shot past Williams then, and Nel- son delivered a perfect pass for a 34- yard touchdown. next series. After converting a quarterback back on the field, and Nelson again deliv- ered with a deep pass on third-and-four. Purdue had four down linemen, and No.3 A three-and-out put Purdue's defense right Kawann Short delivered a hit on Nelson. But not before Nelson let a pass fly down the left sideline where MarQueis Gray had a step on Josh Johnson. Johnson ap- peared to pull up a touch, allowing Gray to stretch out and make the catch for 33 yards. Akeem Shavers had the day's first big play, when he went 40 yards off left tackle to get the Boilermakers into scoring posi- tion on their first possession. Unfortunately for Purdue, however, it was its only significant big gain of the first half. Tom Campbell On the next play, Rodrick Williams bullied his way into the end zone, driv- ing Purdue safety Landon Feichter back. GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 23, EXPRESS 9 • 19