Ever True: Ross-Ade Stadium Sees Highest Week 1 Attendance in 2 Decades
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Purdue fans showed up to Ross-Ade Stadium in full force for Saturday's season opener against Indiana State. It was the largest Week 1 crowd to see the Boilermakers in nearly two decades.
An attendance of 59,488 were inside Ross-Ade Stadium for Purdue's opener against Indiana State on Saturday. That number was the largest for a season-opening game at the venue since 2005, when the Boilermakers hosted Akron (64,457), per Alan Karpick of GoldandBlack.com.
The Boilermakers put on a great show, defeating the Sycamores 49-0 to start the year 1-0. Quarterback Hudson Card also made FBS history, completing 96% of his passes. He finished the afternoon hitting 24-of-25 throws for 273 yards and four touchdowns.
Ross-Ade Stadium attendance 59,488--largest season-opening crowd in RAS since 2005 vs. Akron (64,457).
— Alan Karpick--GoldandBlack.com (@AlanKarpick) August 31, 2024
"I've got to shoutout Ross-Ade again. This was the largest season-opening crowd since 2005. They continue to blow me away," Walters said after the game. "I don't know how many schools across the country come out after a 4-8 year, playing an FCS opponent, would have that type of crowd. We appreciate you guys, we're working our tail off for you guys. Boiler up!"
It was a strong showing from the Purdue faithful, and helped propel the Boilermakers to a big season-opening victory.
Fans will have to wait a few weeks to the see the Boilers in action again. Purdue has an off week before hosting No. 7 Notre Dame at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Because of the intensity of the in-state rivalry, the game between the Boilermakers and Fighting Irish should draw another great crowd.
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WHAT RYAN WALTERS SAID: Purdue started the 2024 season off on the right foot, defeating Indiana State 49-0. Here's what coach Ryan Walters said following the Boilermakers' big win. CLICK HERE
QUICK THOUGHTS ON PURDUE'S WIN: Purdue started the 2024 season off on the right foot, taking down Indiana State 42-0 in the season opener at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday. CLICK HERE
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Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
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