The 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Joe Tiller, the Boilermakers compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie in the Big Ten. Purdue had its best season since 1980. The team played home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Schedule
Rankings
Game summaries Toledo
Joe Tiller's first game as Purdue head coach1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Notre Dame
In Joe Tiller's first home game, Purdue snapped an 11-game losing streak to Notre Dame as fans tore down the goalposts after the victory. Edwin Watson, who had two touchdown runs, had said earlier in the week that former head coach and new Irish offensive coordinator Jim Colletto "was used to losing here (Purdue), so it would be nothing new for him."1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011.
Ball State
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Northwestern
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Kendall Matthews 29 rushes, 152 yards 2020 Purdue Record Book. Retrieved 2020-Dec-27.
Minnesota
Purdue's first win in Minneapolis since 1983. 1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Wisconsin
With the win over Wisconsin, Purdue is off to its best start since 1978 and produced their first five-game winning streak since 1980."Boilermakers Rout Wisconsin." 1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Illinois
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Kendall Matthews 16 rushes, 177 yards 2020 Purdue Record Book. Retrieved 2020-Dec-21.
Iowa
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011
Michigan State
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
Edwin Watson 24 rushes, 115 yards 2020 Purdue Record Book. Retrieved 2021-Jan-02.
Penn State
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
Edwin Watson 19 rushes, 133 yards 2020 Purdue Record Book. Retrieved 2020-Dec-29.
Indiana
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011 USA Today.
Edwin Watson 18 rushes, 163 yards 2020 Purdue Record Book. Retrieved 2020-Dec-21.
Oklahoma State
1997 Purdue football archives. PurdueSports.com. Retrieved November 10, 2011
Personnel Roster
Coaching staff Head coach: Joe Tiller Assistants: Tim Burke, Jim Chaney, Scott Downing, Gary Emanuel, Danny Hope, Larry Korpitz, Tim Lappano, Randy Melvin, Greg Olson, Brock Spack2011 Purdue football information guide
Starters Offense: WR Brian Alford, WR Gabe Cox, LT Mark Fischer, WR F Chesti, LG Brian Nicely, C Jim Niedrach, RG Chukky Okobi, RT Dan Maly, TE Jon Blackman, WR Isaac Jones, QB Billy Dicken, RB Edwin Watson, K Shane Ryan Defense: LE Chukie Nwokorie, LT Leo Perez, RT Greg Smith, RE Rosevelt Colvin, WLB Willie Burroughs, MLB Willie Fells, SLB Mike Rose, LCB Michael Hawthorne, FS Adrian Beasley, SS Lee Brush, RCB Lamar Conrad, P Brandon Kaser2011 Purdue football information guide
Awards All-Americans: Brian Alford (Football News) All-Big Ten: Brian Alford (1st), Rosevelt Colvin (2nd), Billy Dicken (1st)2011 Purdue football information guide
References