LIVE BLOG: Follow Purdue Football's Spring Game at Ross-Ade Stadium in Real Time

Purdue football kicks off its spring game at noon ET on Saturday inside Ross-Ade Stadium. Follow along for live updates throughout the game.

Author:
D.J. Fezler
Publish date:
Apr 9, 2022 1:52 PM EDT

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Purdue football program caps off its spring practices Saturday inside Ross-Ade Stadium, holding the team's first spring game since 2019. The game is scheduled for noon ET and will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.

Here's how our live blog works. We'll keep you updated on everything that goes on in the game in real time, keeping you up to date on scoring plays and trends. It's a huge opportunity for rotational players to put one final session on film before continuing the offseason.

Let's get things started.

1:51 p.m. ET — Purdue's defense seals it with a fumble recovery to earn a 45-42 victory in the spring game.

1:45 p.m. ET — Purdue's offense takes its first lead of the game, courtesy of a touchdown run up the middle by Caleb Lahey. It's now 42-40 with under five minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

1:38 p.m. ET — On second down, Michael Alaimo fires a perfect pass to Alex Maxwell in the left corner of the end zone, but the ball is dropped. Alaimo finds his way into the end zone himself on third down, going untouched off a fake run up the middle.

Purdue's offense makes it a 40-35 game with 11:39 to play in the fourth quarter.

1:36 p.m. ET — Running back Caleb Lahey is tackled short of the goal line, bringing up first down from the one-yard line. He gets the ball again, but is stuffed short of the goal line again.

1:34 p.m. ET — George Karalftis also in attendance here at Ross-Ade Stadium.

1:32 p.m. ET — Purdue's defense leads 40-28 after the third quarter. Offense in striking distance to start the final period, making its way into the red zone.

1:30 p.m. ET — Austin Burton can't connect with Andrew Sowinski streaking down the right sideline. Would have been a huge play for the offense that hasn't scored on a long, sustained drive yet this afternoon. Series continues, though.

1:26 p.m. ET — Purdue's defense gets a stop after the offense tries to get going on a long drive. Two points on the board make it a 40-28 game with under five minutes to play in the third quarter.

1:19 p.m. ET — Mitchell Fineran steps onto the field for his first field goal of the game, a 25-yarder, which is wide of the mark. Purdue defense still leading 38-28 with 8:52 left in the third quarter.

1:15 p.m. ET — Another quick strike for the Purdue offense as Michael Alaimo fires to Tyrone Tracy for a touchdown. Defense looking to hold on to its first-half lead, and still leads 38-28.

1:12 p.m. ET — Purdue offense gets into the end zone once again, this time on third down. Early enrollees Brady Allen and Zion Steptoe connect down the right touchdown for the score, making it a 38-21 game in favor of the defense.

1:10 p.m. ET — Purdue offense continues to get tricky and looks to complete a pass to an offensive tackle who was eligible on the play. But the backward pass hits the turf and is picked up by defensive end Joe Anderson for a 61-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

The Purdue defense gets seven points on the board to extend its lead to 38-14.

1:07 p.m. ET — On the very next play, Preston Terrell takes a reverse and fires a touchdown pass to tight end Ben Buechel. Purdue offense with two straight touchdown plays to make it a 31-14 game with 12:36 to play in the third quarter.

1:06 p.m. ET — Purdue offense is finally on the board as Austin Burton finds Collin Sullivan in the end zone. Defense leads 31-7 after starting the third quarter with a three-and-out.

12:47 p.m. ET — Purdue football honoring some of last year's seniors.

12:44 p.m. ET — Purdue's defense leads 28-0 at halftime of the team's spring game. Yanni Karlaftis comes away with a sack from his new LEO position before the break.

12:43 p.m. ET — David Bell in attendance for today's spring game.

12:39 p.m. ET — Poor pass from Aidan O'Connell on third down results in an interception by linebacker Antonio Stevens. The pick gives the Purdue defense five points and a 25-0 lead as the offense prepares for its second two-minute drill.

12:38 p.m. ET — Aidan O'Connell back in the game looking to lead Purdue to the end zone for the first time this afternoon.

12:36 p.m. ET — A fourth-down stop for the Purdue defense puts another three points on the board. Defense up 20-0 as the offense prepares for a pair of two-minute drills here in the second quarter.

12:33 p.m. ET — Jeff Brohm tries some more trickery, but a double reverse flea flicker results in an interception by Chris Jefferson, Austin Burton was the quarterback on the play. Purdue's defense now up 17-0 in the second quarter.

12:32 p.m. ET — Another two points for the defense as Purdue's offense can't find a rhythm on Brady Allen's first drive under center. Offense finds itself in a 12-0 deficit with under seven minutes to play in the second quarter.

12:29 p.m. ET — Brady Allen in at quarterback. His first pass is complete to Drew Biber.

12:27 p.m. ET — O'Connell misfires on a quick pass down the middle for Tyrone Tracy, and the Purdue offense is unable to reach the end zone once again. Two points were awarded to the defense on the stop, and the group has a 10-0 lead with less than 11 minutes left in the second quarter.

12:20 p.m. ET — Aidan O'Connell back in the lineup, and he fires a quick play behind the line of scrimmage for wide receiver Preston Terrell. But Terrell launches a deep pass to the right side of the field, and Tyrone Tracy makes an impressive catch in traffic for a big gain.

12:19 p.m. ET — Another drive stalls for the Purdue offense. The team's defense leads 8-0 with under two minutes left in the first quarter after a fourth-down stop.

12:16 p.m. ET — Purdue's offense completes its first pass of the afternoon, courtesy of Alaimo and wide receiver Collin Sullivan. The Boilermakers' offense get a first down on third and 10 to extend their drive.

12:15 p.m. ET — Sampson James picks up a first down on a short run. Michael Alaimo fires his first pass on first down, intended for freshman receiver Zion Steptoe, but it falls incomplete.

12:14 p.m. ET — Michael Alaimo in at quarterback, and he hands the ball off on two straight plays. Sampson James and Tyrone Tracy both pick up solid gains for the offense.

12:12 p.m. ET — Purdue defense holds on third down, giving the unit another two points. The Boilermakers' offense is down 5-0 with less than eight minutes to play in the first quarter.

12:10 p.m. ET – Burton's first pass is incomplete to King Doerue, but the running back picks up a first down on the ground on the very next play. Purdue's offense still has yet to complete a pass.

12:07 p.m. ET — A good start for the defense on the first drive of the spring game. A three-and-out results in three points, putting the offense in a hole in the first quarter. O'Connell comes out of the game and in comes Austin Burton at quarterback.

12:06 p.m. ET — First play from scrimmage, Aidan O'Connell has pressure up the middle and his short pass falls incomplete. King Doerue carries on second down and loses a yard.