Purdue quarterback Hudson Card was almost perfect as he racked up four touchdown passes in the Boilermakers’ 42-0 win against Indiana State during the season opener for both teams on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue notched a first down on each of its first three plays, Card connected on his first seven passes and was 24-for-25 for 273 yards before being relieved at 3:42 of the third quarter.
Purdue Devin Mockobee had 11 carries for 89 rushing yards and Elijah Jackson had three carries for 83 yards and a touchdown.
FCS member Indiana State had just 154 yards of total offense while Purdue poured it on with 583 total yards.
On Purdue’s first possession, Card capped an eight play, 55-yard drive when he found Max Klare from 9 yards out in the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
On Purdue’s next possession, Indiana State had a moment to savor when linebacker Maddix Blackwell forced a fumble by Purdue’s Drew Biber that was recovered by Garret Ollendieck deep into Sycamores territory at 4:07 in the first quarter.
Purdue was back at it late in the opening quarter and a quick out pass from Card to Jaron Tibbs led to an 8-yard touchdown and a 14-0 Purdue lead early in the second period.
A 37-yard run by Mockobee on a draw play set up Card to find a wide open De’Nylon Morrissette in the corner of the end zone for a 21-0 lead Purdue held into halftime.
Indiana State had 98 yards of offense in the first half and missed a 45-yard field goal as time expired before the half. Purdue opened the third quarter with its longest drive of the game which covered 68 yards in nine plays and culminated in a 6-yard run by Reggie Love for a 28-0 lead.
The Purdue defense forced its second three-and out on the next possession.
Back-to-back catches for Leland Smith led to a 31-yard score on a fade route and gave Purdue a 35-0 lead. A fourth-quarter run through a huge hole in the line by Elijah Jackson led to a 69-yard touchdown to give Purdue a 42-0 lead.
Jaheim Merriweather barreled into the end zone from 4 yards out to extend the Boilermakers’ lead to 49-0 with just under two minutes remaining.
