A Look Back at the Bucket Games Past and Hoosier Huddle's Bucket Game Memorable Moments

Written by Andrew Walker

What’s the lore behind a medium sized wooden bucket with metal fittings on the outside? Have you ever wondered why we, as IU Football fans, hold an antique store piece in such high regard? Why does the team that wears black and gold, sometimes referred to as Purdue, want it so bad? Why does Indiana want it so bad? Too many questions. Allow me to enlighten. 

Back yonder in the year 1891, two schools from the state of Indiana met on the gridiron to play this wonderful game of football. Purdue won 68-0. Fast forward six years, and Purdue won 14-0. In these days, there was no Old Oaken Bucket to pass around, merely bragging rights. 

Fast forward to 1925. The Chicago chapter alumni organizations from both Indiana and Purdue proposed the idea of a trophy for the winner of the annual football game. The Hoosiers and Boilermakers had begun playing annually just five years prior to this meeting. 

The idea for a trophy was a hit success among the attendees of the meeting, with IU alumnus Dr. Clarence Jones and Purdue alumnus Russell Gray tasked with finding a suitable piece of hardware. After a bucket was decided upon, it was up to Purdue alumnus Ernest Fitz and Indiana alumnus Wiley J. Huddle.

The perfect oaken bucket was found on the Bruner family farm between Kent, Indiana and Hanover, Indiana. The bucket was perfect. In accordance with the Chicago alumni association joint meeting, there was to be a physical indication on the bucket as to who the victor of each game would be through the Bucket’s existence. An “I” would be added in a chain if the Hoosiers won. A “P” if Purdue won. And fittingly, an “I-P” if there was a tie. 

The next part hasn’t been well documented, but it’s what I’ve always heard and verified through research. Legend has it that this oaken bucket found on the Bruner family farm was actually used by General John Hunt Morgan in the Civil War. This, being Bruner family lore, doesn’t have to be accurate for the legend to live on. 

In 1925, the Hoosiers and Boilermakers played the inaugural game with the Old Oaken Bucket as the trophy. This momentous occasion was marked ever so fittingly, with a tie. An absolute deadlock a 0-0. Donuts from each team would mark the beginning of one of college football’s most storied rivalries. An “I-P”. 

Over the years, there have been some memorable bucket game moments. There’s no way I’d be able to remember a game from 1910, but with the help of the wonderful staff at Hoosier Huddle, we’ve narrowed it down to a few memorable moments. 

IU Offensive performance: Nate Sudfeld carried the Hoosiers to victory on an extremely impressive 54-36 victory over the Boilermakers. Sudfeld launched the football all day, finishing with 350 yards and four TDs on 18/29 passing.

Purdue Offensive performance: Kyle Orton in 2004 led one of the most impressive bucket game performances of all time. 33/54 with 522 total yards and six touchdowns marked the end of Kyle Orton’s regular season college career. Purdue won that game 63-24.

Best overall bucket game: The Hoosiers won the bucket in 1967 by a score of 19-14. Purdue was ranked #3 in the nation, and rolling. The Boilermakers had just gone to the Rose Bowl, so they were ineligible to go back. It would come be Indiana’s chance to play for a trip to Pasadena. The Hoosiers came into the game with little hope, but Indiana scored in the fourth quarter to take a 19-14 lead. Later in the fourth quarter, punter John Isenbarger (punt, John, punt!) absolutely rocketed a 63 yard punt to pin the Boilermakers at their own goal line. The Hoosiers would be victorious. 

This Saturday will mark the 122nd meeting of either team, and the 95th bucket game of all time. The Hoosiers and Boilermakers have had a long history of rivalry, not only in football, but the Old Oaken Bucket is what makes the rivalry all worthwhile. 

Since all of our writers are 33 years old or younger, we have a skewed view f the rivalry. Please share your memories, good or bad, in the comments section.