The Boilers were out in full force this weekend. Duck fans from Oregon made a nice percentage of the day’s attendance. They came blowing their duck kazoo noisemakers and wearing shirts like, “Hooked on Quack.” The sounds of “Boiler Up” hovered in the air drowning out the kazoos. This was setting up to be an outstanding collision between the Big 10 and Pac 10.
The game did not lack incredible plays. The second play let those who decided to pay this game a visit know that it would be a battle. An eighty yard touchdown dart by Kory Sheets in the game’s second play sent the crowd into a frenzy. As Purdue grabbed what seemed like a comfortable lead, the fans grew a little comfortable, too. Oregon found themselves behind and looking anemic during most of the game. But, by the second half, they began to wear their #16 ranking well and a punt return for a TD helped them storm back and send the contest into overtime. They found their offense just in time and escaped with a 32-26 double overtime thriller.
I love coming to West Lafayette, and I have had some of my most exciting experiences at Ross-Ade Stadium. This was one of the day’s biggest games on ABC and unfortunately for Purdue, it ended in a funeral march of exiting fans. There is a long season ahead, but duck season just flew past the Boilers.
