Purdue Football: 3 takeaways from failed comeback vs. Northwestern

Once again playing short-handed, Purdue football fell short at home against the Northwestern Wildcats 27-20 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

On a soggy early Saturday evening in West Lafayette, the Purdue Boilermakers attempted to mount a comeback late in the fourth quarter falling short 27-20 to the No. 23 Northwestern Wildcats.

The 4-0 start is the best start by the Wildcats since the Pat Fitzgerald era — as a player. It was 1996 and the Wildcats were on their way to a Rose Bowl. The Wildcats are looking to duplicate the magic of nearly 25 seasons ago.

Despite the moisture, it was Indiana transfer Peyton Ramsey who led the Wildcats to victory. Ramsey finished the game with 212 yards passing and three touchdown passes. Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman had 86 yards receiving and all three of Ramsey’s touchdown passes.

Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell did all he could, throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns. The Boilermakers, however, started from behind and played catch-up all game falling short at the end. Purdue All-American wide receiver Rondale Moore has yet to make his season debut out once again with a lower-body injury.

The Wildcats were determined to take wide receiver David Bell away from O’Connell, so the quarterback found another target, running back Zander Horvath who had nine receptions and 100 yards through the air. Neither the Wildcats nor the Boilermakers had any fortune running the football. The Wildcats had just 80 yards on 40 carries while the Boilermakers had just two yards rushing in this game.

One of the biggest differences in this close game was on third down. Northwestern went 7-for-18 on third downs while Purdue converted only 4-of-17. While Northwestern remains undefeated, the Boilermakers fall to 2-1.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday afternoon’s game.