Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Purdue
Boilermakers End Wildcats' Win Streak
11/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- An uncharacteristic performance from the Northwestern offense was too much to overcome as the Wildcats saw their two-game Big Ten winning streak end with a 34-14 loss to 18th-ranked Purdue Saturday afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium.
The Wildcats (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten) entered the game as the nation's leader in fumbles lost (two) -- and the only team in the country without a lost fumble by a member of its offensive backfield (quarterbacks/running backs). But that didn't seem to faze the Boilermakers (7-2, 5-1).
Purdue's defense, led by end Shaun Phillips, kept the pressure on the Wildcats all day and forced four fumbles, including three costly ones in the first half.
"You can't beat a good football team and turn the ball over deep in their territory like we did," said Northwestern coach Randy Walker. "A fast, hard-hitting team like Purdue has the ability to continually knock the ball out of your hands, and they did that today. Good hits, good strips, good football."
Quarterback Brett Basanez fumbled on consecutive possessions in the first quarter, leading to two Purdue touchdowns.
Gilbert Gardner recovered Basanez's first fumble at the Northwestern 45. That set up quarterback Kyle Orton's 3-yard keeper seven plays later.
On the next possession, Basanez fumbled while being sacked by Shaun Phillips. Ray Edwards recovered the ball for Purdue at the Northwestern 12.
Ray Williams scored on a reverse on the next play to give the Boilermakers a 14-0 lead, and Purdue was off and running.
"We knew it was important to create havoc in their backfield," said Phillips. "Our defensive line could disrupt some of their game by being in the backfield. We gave up some big plays but didn't allow many points."
Jason Wright started the game, but as the contest wore on, it was obvious the ankle he injured a week ago in Northwestern's win over Wisconsin, was affecting his play. He finished just 28 yards on seven carries and a 27-yard reception. Perhaps the most disappointing part of Wright's day was a fumble of his own -- his first in 383 carries.
Purdue's John Standeford had four catches for 88 yards to break the Big Ten record for career receiving yards. Jerod Void ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns.
Standeford broke the record with a 31-yard catch in the fourth quarter. He has 3,418 yards for his career, surpassing Illinois' David Williams, who had 3,392 yards from 1983-85.
Sophomore Terrell Jordan, who helped pick up some of the slack left by Wright's absence, equaled Void for rushing honors, with 87 yards on 16 carries.
Even when the Wildcats did get something going, Purdue was quick to regain the momentum.
Noah Herron scooped up fellow running back Terrell Jordan's fumble near the goal line and scored Northwestern's first TD with just 45 seconds remaining in the first half.
But Northwestern allowed Purdue to get into scoring position, thanks largely to a 41-yard kickoff return by Jerome Brooks. Ben Jones' 28-yard field goal gave Purdue a 20-7 lead at halftime.
It was more of the same in the second half.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats drove to the Purdue 2. But the Boilermakers stuffed Herron on fourth-and-1 to get the get the ball back.
Purdue responded with a 12-play, 98-yard drive capped by Void's first TD of the day from 6 yards out for a 27-7 lead.
Void added a 1-yard TD run in the fourth. Orton was 14-of-22 for 212 yards for Purdue.
Basanez completed 12 of 20 passes for 142 yards to go with his three fumbles. He also was sacked four times.
"We have to forget about this game," said Walker. "It's time to prepare for Penn State. All we can do is bounce back. This wasn't how we play."
The Wildcats host Penn State (2-7, 0-5 Big Ten ) at 11 a.m. CST (ESPN2) at Ryan Field next Saturday.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
