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Purdue Football Looks to Reclaim Old Oaken Bucket in Matchup Against Indiana

Purdue Football Looks to Reclaim Old Oaken Bucket in Matchup Against Indiana

The Old Oaken Bucket Game has been decided by one score in each of the last four matchups between Purdue and Indiana. The last time these teams played, Indiana earned a 44-41 double-overtime victory at Ross-Ade Stadium.
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue and Indiana will meet for the first time since 2019 on Saturday, and the Boilermakers will look to reclaim to Old Oaken Bucket in front of a sold-out crowd at Ross-Ade Stadium. 

Regardless of record, the rivalry game has been tightly contested, but the Hoosiers' struggles this year could pave the way for a huge victory for the Boilermakers. 

Bucket Game Has Been Close in Recent Years

  • The last four matchups between Purdue and Indiana have been decided by one score. 
  • The last time these teams played, the Hoosiers walked out of West Lafayette with a 44-41 double-overtime victory. 
  • Even in a down year, you can't count Indiana out of this game. 
  • "A lot of guys on these teams know each other so they take pride in playing against each other and rise to the occasion," Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said. "It's very competitive. Just like any conference game, whoever prepares the best and plays the best is going to win, bottom line, doesn't matter what their records are. You can throw those things out."

Indiana Struggles After High Expectations

  • The Hoosiers are 2-9 entering the matchup after finishing second in the Big Ten East last season. 
  • Offense has struggles heavily with quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Jack Tuttle suffering injuries. 
  • Indiana has scored 23 touchdowns this season, the second-worst mark in the Big ten. 

A Season to Remember 

  • When the season concludes, there's a lot to look back on as a Purdue football player. 
  • Victories over top-five teams, including Iowa on the road and Michigan State at Ross-Ade, propelling the program to 7-4 before the Bucket Game. 
  • The team will make its second bowl appearance under Brohm. 
  • However, players are taking the season one game at a time. There will be time to relish in success after the season is over. 
  • RESPECT BETWEEN JEFF BROHM, TOM ALLEN: Despite a fierce rivalry matchup between Purdue and Indiana on the horizon, coaches Jeff Brohm and Tom Allen have showed nothing but respect for each other. The last time the two teams played, the Hoosiers claimed the Old Oaken Bucket with a 44-41 win at Ross-Ade Stadium. CLICK HERE
  • WHAT JEFF BROHM SAID AHEAD OF THE BUCKET GAME: Purdue football coach Jeff Brohm met with the local media Monday to discuss the team's upcoming matchup against Indiana at Ross-Ade Stadium. Here's everything he had to say, including video. CLICK HERE
  • DAVID BELL NAMED BILETNIKOFF FINALIST: Purdue junior wide receiver David Bell is one of three finalists for the 2021 Biletnikoff Award. In 10 games so far this season, he's recorded 87 catches for 1,207 yards and five touchdowns. CLICK HERE 

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