WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Three Wisconsin touchdowns on the opening three drives proved too much for the Purdue football team to overcome, as the Boilermakers dropped a 38-17 decision to the Badgers on Friday night at Ross-Ade Stadium.
As a team, Purdue ran for a season-high 194 yards on 31 carries (6.3 average), tallying two rushing scores from Hudson Card and Tyrone Tracy Jr. Tracy has scored a rushing touchdown in each of Purdue’s four games this season. The Indianapolis native was the team’s leading rusher, logging a career-high 84 yards on eight attempts, an average of 10.5 yards per carry.
After a slow start, the Boilermakers punched back into the game with their first drive of the second half. Down 21 points, Purdue took an eight-play, 75-yard drive down the field, capped by Tracy’s 19-yard touchdown run.
The Boilers scored touchdowns on both drives in the third quarter, amassing 150 yards of offense. They outgained the Badgers with 233 total yards to 185 in the second half, but the 21-3 deficit from the first 30 minutes was too large to surpass. Purdue’s only points in the first half came from kicker Julio Macias, who connected on his first career field goal attempt from 34 yards.
Purdue quarterback Hudson Card was 21-of-38 passing for 202 yards. The redshirt junior set a career high with 50 yards on 13 carries, notching his third rushing score of the season.
After the defense held the Badgers to field goals on their opening two drives of the third quarter, Purdue cut the gap to 10 on the final play of the period. Card scrambled for a six-yard touchdown to make it a 27-17 game entering the fourth.
Botros Alisandro’s first career interception extended the Boilermakers’ streak of games with an interception to nine in a row dating back to last season against Illinois (Nov. 12, 2022).
Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai connected on 17 of 27 passes for 174 yards. On the ground, the Badgers tallied 209 yards, led by Braelon Allen’s 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
NOTES
• Wisconsin leads the all-time series 53-29-8.
• Purdue went 6 of 13 on third down.
• After the Badgers converted their first eight third downs, Purdue allowed only four conversions in their next 10 attempts.
• After surrendering three touchdowns to start the game, Purdue held the Badgers to three field goals on their next four possessions.
• Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Hudson Card set career rushing highs with 84 yards and 50 yards, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers close out their three-game homestand next Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Illinois at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue will look to retain The Cannon Trophy after picking up a win in Champaign last year.
