6:28 Fourth Quarter; Purdue 21, Northwestern 19
Kafka came out of the break firing, getting the first in one fell swoop with a 22-yard completion to Stewart, the longest of the game for NU. Kafka failed to execute a pass to Dunsmore in the let flat, but scrambled for 12 on the ensuing play to get the first down. Fields ran up the middle for three yards on first down. On second down, Kafka was pressured and forced to throw the ball away. On third down, Kafka was leveled and fortunately held onto the ball. On fourth down from the Purdue 32, the Cats lined up to punt, prompting a timeout from Danny Hope. NU touched the ball inside the 10, but an interference call gave the Boilermaker the ball at their own 24, netting them eight more yards than a missed field goal.
Bolden began the drive with a run for a gain of five, and on an outside blitz, Elliott attacked that side of the field for an eight-yard pass to Smith. Bolden gained five yards on a toss left, and then gained two more on a second down carry. Wootton leveled Bolden, who blocked for Elliott, but Wootton couldn’t get to Elliott and he made the Cats pay with a completion for a first down. Bolden got the call again and gained two on first down. Elliott hit Keith Smith on a high pass for 11 yards on the ensuing play. On first down, Elliott made a play fake that fooled the entire defense but Brad Phillips, and he made a soild open-field tackle to halt the keeper in its tracks. Elliott followed up by hitting Carlos on a screen for 12 yards and a first down. Bolden went nowhere again, and on second down, Elliott threw a dangerous pass into coverage that was knocked down by Quentin Davie. An important third down from the Purdue 22 resulted in a common theme of this game - a fumble by Elliott, the fifth of the game for the Boilermakers. To add insult to injury, Purdue coach Danny Hope was charged with a sideline interference penalty for running up to the referee on the field. NU recovered the fumble. Davie forced the fumble, and Wootton recovered the fumble. The Cats will take over from the Purdue 33.
