Game Wrap and Reaction: Purdue 31 Indiana 24
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers
Location: Saturday November 25th, West Lafayette, IN
Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Boilermakers meet annually for the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket.
What The Game Meant:
This was a monster game for both schools as the Bucket and a bowl bid were on the line.
Bucket Game Day (Eve) Primer: Indiana at Purdue
Written By T.J., Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
What: Indiana (5-6) at Purdue (5-6)
Where: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN
When: Saturday, November 25 at Noon
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. You can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.
Bucket History: The Old Oaken Bucket came into being in 1925 at a joint meeting of the Chicago chapters of both schools alumni organizations. The two decided to “discuss the possibility of undertaking worthy joint enterprises on behalf of the two schools.” An old oaken bucket was determined to be “the most typical Hoosier form of trophy, that the bucket should be taken from some well in Indiana, and that a chain be made of bronze block “I” and “P” letters should be provided for the bucket.” The first game for the Bucket was contested in 1925 and ended in a 0-0 tie.
It All Comes Down To This: The Old Oaken Bucket
Written By Evan McShane (@veryreasonable)
The Indiana Hoosiers will face the Purdue Boilermakers for the 120th time in school history this Saturday in West Lafayette. History is not on Indiana’s side in this rivalry, but Tom Allen and the Hoosiers hope to change that. Indiana has beaten Purdue four straight times for just the second time ever. Both teams come into the game with records of 5-6; and in addition to traditional bragging rights, bowl eligibility is on the line. As Indiana and Purdue attempt to rebuild their football programs under new coaching regimes, this year’s ‘Bucket Game’ presents an opportunity for the victor to get a head-start. The loser of The Old Oaken Bucket will lose their chance to play in a bowl game. The winner is going bowling. The stakes are arguably as high as they’ve been since 1967, when the winner of that game went on to play in the Rose Bowl. A Rose Bowl isn’t on the line this weekend, but earning a trip to a bowl game would be monumental for both football programs in their own right.
Bucket Game Matchup To Watch: Andre Brown Jr. vs. Elijah Sindelar
Written By Alex Compton
Ohhhhhhh boy here we go. After a two game win streak, it all comes down to the Bucket Game for Indiana, as they look to make a third straight bowl game. Purdue is also sitting at 5-6 after a road win against a very sub-par Iowa team, which adds to the intrigue of what should be one of the best Bucket Games in recent memory. The Hoosiers turned to the ground early and often last week in a 41-0 win on Senior Day, as both Cole Gest and freshman Morgan Ellison had big days running the ball. My matchup of Richard Lagow vs. Kiy Hester went in favor of IU, as he was able to find the tight ends over the middle of the field all day with great success, according to PFF College Football (see below). This week’s matchup centers on the passing game again, but this time with an IU defender in the spotlight.
Inside the Numbers of The 2017 Old Oaken Bucket Game
Written By David Sugarman (@David_Sugarman2)
It’s Bucket Week and for the third-straight year Indiana can clinch a bowl berth with a win over their in-state rivals, the Purdue Boilermakers. Now on the home stretch of what’s been a very up and down season, Indiana has a chance to seal their destiny and do it in the most satisfying way possible against a Purdue team in an identical situation with five wins. It’s time for a dive into the stats for this week’s edition of Inside the Numbers.
Know Your Opponent: Like IU, It’s Purdue’s Defense That is Leading Their Success
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Head Coach: Jeff Brohm
Overall: 35-16 4th Year
At Purdue 5-6 (3-5)
Bowl Appearances at Purdue: 0
2017 Record: 5-6 Beat Iowa 24-15 at Iowa
Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 13 (5-8)
Mascot: Boilermaker Special and Purdue Pete
Colors: Black and Gold
Outfitter: Nike
National Titles: 0
Conference Titles: 12
Heisman Winners: 0
For the Third Year In a Row The Hoosiers Can Go Bowling With a Bucket Game Win
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The annual Old Oaken Bucket Game is always a big deal in the state of Indiana. It’s important for bragging rights, recruiting and program momentum. There is no denying that this year’s clash, the 120th meeting of the Bucket game, between the two 5-6 rivals looms even larger than usual. Indiana is going for their fifth straight victory in the series and this is the first meeting between program leaders Tom Allen and Jeff Brohm. Perhaps most importantly, both teams need a win to reach bowl eligibility and earn themselves a postseason berth and all the perks that come with it.
Throwback Thursday: Indiana 26 Purdue 24
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers entered the 2016 Bucket Game needing the win to get to bowl eligibility. It wasn’t pretty and if the Hoosiers were playing anyone (maybe not Rutgers) but Purdue, they wouldn’t have gotten that sixth win. The Hoosiers turned the ball over four times and averaged a paltry 3.5 yards per play. Those are awful numbers for an offense. However, the Hoosiers’ defense was up to the challenge taking the ball away from Purdue three times and holding the Boilers to just 42 yards on the ground. While it was far from pretty the Hoosiers did claim their fourth Bucket Game victory in a row and clinched their second bowl berth in as many years in what would become Kevin Wilson’s final game in Bloomington.
Game Wrap and Reaction: Indiana 26 Purdue 24
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Opponent: Purdue Boilermakers
Location: Saturday November 26th, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
Why They Played: The Hoosiers and Boilermakers meet annually in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket.
What The Game Meant:
Playing for the Old Oaken Bucket is always huge for the Hoosiers, but a bowl berth was also on the line for IU. For the Boilermakers it is a chance to start a new era with momentum.
Hoosiers Survive a Sloppy Performance to Retain Old Oaken Bucket
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Things were rarely pretty and they were never easy but the Indiana Hoosiers relied on a strong defensive performance and did just enough on offense to survive the Purdue Boilermakers and win the Old Oaken Bucket for a fourth straight season. IU’s Jonathan Crawford intercepted a David Blough pass in the end zone to keep the Hoosiers ahead by four points with just over a minute remaining to seal a trip back to a bowl game and a 6-6 finish for the Hoosiers.