| 
Purdue Hands Wisconsin First Big Ten Loss By Barry The Bear |
IdataSports.com Sports Staff Writer
barrythebear@webtv.net
Posted Mon Oct 20 19:12:32 2003
The Wisconsin Badgers were flying high all week following their huge victory over Ohio State last week. The Badgers knew going into this game that they were facing perhaps even a better team in Purdue. A win would have kept the Badgers in a first place tie and undefeated. Unfortunatly, a late field goal by Purdue with the game tied at 23, gave the Boilermakers a 26-23 victory.
Things started out bad for Wisconsin. On the first pla of the game, they attempted a deep pass from Sorgi to Lee Evans, but it was intercepted at the 41 by Jacque Reeves. Purdue needed just seven plays to score the first points of the game, a 2 yard touch down from Jerrod Void. Jones added the p.a.t. for a 7-0 lead. On the ext drive for Wisoonsin, disaster would strike again, this time a fumble. Sorgi, tried to pitch the ball and lost the ball while being tackled, Purdue recovered at the 30. Orton began his day at quarter back of picking apart the Badger defense. Purdue drove 70 yards in nine plays and scored their second touch down of the day on a 6 yard pass from Orton to Taylor Stubblefield on first and goal. The extra point made it 14-0 with 5:30 left in opening quarter.
The Badgers got on the board for the first time in the late stages of the first quarter on a six play-63 yard drive. At one point, Wisconsi was faced with a third and 11 at the 47, Sorgi passed to Dwayne Smith, who gained 25 yards down to the 28. Then on first and 10, Davis carried the ball through his blockers and raced in for the touch down. Allen added the extra point making it 14-7.
The Badger defense came to life in the second quarter and forced a Purdue fumble by quarterback Orton, Jeff Mack recovered it and returned it for a touch down. The extra point was missed and Purdue held onto a sli 14-13 lead. The Boilermakers would extend the lead to 17-13 at the half,as they converted a 43 yard field goal.
The Only scoring in the third quarter, was a 20 yard field goal for Purdue to extend their lead to 20-13.
For the second straight game, Wisconsin was forced to use back-up quarterback Matt Schubert, as Sorgi suffered an ankle injury. His one drive, led to a 25 yard field goal from Allen to make it a 20-16 game. Purdue battled back, but gain the Badger defense stood strong and held them to just a field goal for a 23-16 lead. On Purdue's next series, they were forced punt. Jim Leonard fielded it and ran it back 63 yards for the touch down to tie the game at 23-23 with 2:55 remaining. But again, the Badger defense held their ground,but the offense was unable to produce. Purdue ended any hopes of an over time as they moved 82 yards in the final 2:30 to kick a 18 yard field goal for a 26-23 victory.
Wisconsin now 3-1 in Big Ten
6-2 overall
Next Game: Saturday Oct 25 at Northwestern
|
