Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michelle R. Martinelli

Every time unranked Purdue upset a ranked opponent in West Lafayette in the last 20 years

Purdue football isn’t exactly known as a powerhouse program that opponents always fear playing. The Boilermakers’ last Big Ten championship was in 2000, and since the beginning of the 2023 season, they’re 5-13 and have won just one game in 2024 — their season opener against Indiana State.

Still, Purdue, and the Ross-Ade Stadium crowd, has a little history of pulling off stunning and wildly unexpected upsets in West Lafayette against ranked teams during an otherwise unremarkable regular season.

Most recently, the Boilermakers’ biggest wins against ranked teams have been on the road. During the 2022 season, they topped Minnesota and Illinois — both ranked No. 21 for each game — as the away team. But their occasional upsets as the home team are far more interesting, including an impressive 2018 run when they upset three ranked teams at home.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS: Which undefeated team will lose in Week 8?

In Week 8 of the 2024 season, they host No. 2 Oregon, which is coming off a thrilling win over then-No. 2 Ohio State and had to travel two time zones for Friday night’s game at Ross-Ade Stadium.

The Boilermakers are massive 29.5-point underdogs against the Ducks, per BetMGM, and they’ll likely lose. But the circumstances around this game could also perfectly lay the groundwork for another chaotic upset.

So ahead of Purdue’s game against No. 2 Oregon on Friday, here’s a look at every time the unranked Boilermakers upset an AP Poll-ranked opponent at home in the last 20 years.

Purdue 40, No. 5 Michigan State 29 | November 6, 2021

Nov 6, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell (16) drops back to pass the ball in the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Boilermakers were tied with the Spartans, 21-21, early in the third quarter, but with the help of a touchdown and four second-half field goals, they were able to pull away and deliver Michigan State its first loss of the season. This was the second time that season Purdue beat a top-5 team; it upset No. 2 Iowa, 24-7, but that game was at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Purdue 30, No. 23 Boston College 13 | September 22, 2018

Purdue center Kirk Barron celebrates after the Boilermakers defeated Boston College 30-13 Saturday, September 22, 2018, in Ross-Ade Stadium. (John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

A 16-point second quarter gave the Boilermakers a comfortable lead against the Eagles, whose only second-half score was a garbage-time touchdown run with 18 seconds left in the game.

Purdue 49, No. 2 Ohio State 20 | October 20, 2018

Purdue’s D.J. Knox runs for a touchdown as Purdue upsets Ohio State in West Lafayette on Saturday October 20, 2018. (Frank Oliver for the Journal & Courier)

On a mission to knock off the Buckeyes, Purdue powered to a 28-6 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. And while scoring on both sides picked up big time, the Boilermakers put up four fourth-quarter touchdowns to Ohio State’s two.

Purdue 38, No. 19 Iowa 36 | November 3, 2018

Terry Wright of Purdue with a touchdown reception at 2:26 in the third quarter against Iowa Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated Iowa 38-36. (John Terhune/Journal & Courier)

The Boilermakers had a 21-17 lead at halftime, but clearly the Hawkeyes were putting up a fight. Purdue trailed only once — in the middle of the fourth quarter Iowa scored a touchdown with a failed two-point conversion to take a 36-35 lead. But the Boilermakers kicked a field goal with eight seconds left to win.

Purdue 21, No. 23 Illinois 14 | October 22, 2011

Oct 22, 2011; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Jason Ford (21) carries the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Not scoring once in the second half usually isn’t a recipe for an upset victory, but Purdue pulled it off here. The Boilermakers jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and that was enough for a win.

Purdue 26, No. 7 Ohio State 18 | October 17, 2009

Sandra Dukes/USA TODAY Sports

The Boilermakers had a 23-7 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter in this one, and Ohio State tried to fight back but came up short.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.