Report: NJ Suspends Citrus Bowl Betting Due to Drew Brees' PointsBet Partnership
Dec 30, 2022
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 16: NBC Sports Drew Brees reports from the sidelines before an AFC wild card playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs on Jan 16, 2022 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has shut down betting on Monday's Citrus Bowl between Purdue and LSU because of Drew Brees' prior business relationship with sportsbook PointsBet, according to a report from David Purdum of ESPN.
While regulators only noted that "an individual associated with Purdue Football team" was in violation of state regulations, Brees—who is serving as an interim assistant coach for Purdue during the Citrus Bowl—is reportedly the person in question.
"I am extremely excited to work with our team over the next few weeks as we prepare for the Citrus Bowl. I see it not only as an opportunity to coach and mentor this group of young men, but represent all the former Purdue players that care so much about our program. This is also preparation for the future of Purdue Football with new head coach Ryan Walters. I had a great conversation with Coach Walters last night, and love the energy, passion and detail he will bring to our program. The future is bright, and there is no better time to be a Boilermaker!"
A week later, the New Jersey-based PointsBet ended its relationship with the retired NFL quarterback, noting, "Regulatory and legal compliance, responsible gaming practices, and the integrity of legal sports betting are top priorities for our organization and this decision will allow us to uphold that commitment."
Not only did the NJDGE tell state sportsbooks to stop taking action on the game, but it also forced any bets placed on the contest after Dec. 15 to be voided.
Per ESPN's report, Brees—though not named by the NJDGE—was in violation of statute 5:12A-11 (f), which "prohibits athletes, coaches, referees or director of a sports governing body from having 'any ownership interest in, control of, or otherwise be employed by an operator.'"
Brees, 43, retired from the NFL following the 2020 season. The 13-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion then took a job with NBC Sports for one year, working as an analyst for both Football Night in America and Notre Dame football broadcasts.
He spent four years at Purdue (1997-00) during his college career, throwing for 11,792 yards and 90 touchdowns.
Drew Brees Hired as Purdue Interim Assistant Coach Before Citrus Bowl
Dec 15, 2022
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 19: Former Boilermaker and current New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees watches the actions during an NCAA football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 19, 2016, at the Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 49-20. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Drew Brees is going back to Purdue as an interim assistant coach ahead of the Citrus Bowl.
The school announced Thursday that Brees will work on the field with players and participate in recruiting.
He said in a statement:
"I am extremely excited to work with our team over the next few weeks as we prepare for the Citrus Bowl. I see it not only as an opportunity to coach and mentor this group of young men, but represent all the former Purdue players that care so much about our program. This is also preparation for the future of Purdue Football with new head coach Ryan Walters. I had a great conversation with Coach Walters last night, and love the energy, passion and detail he will bring to our program. The future is bright, and there is no better time to be a Boilermaker!"
Per Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger, Brees wanted to help the football team as it transitions to Walters as its new head coach.
Former head coach Jeff Brohm left Purdue to take the same position at the University of Louisville. The 51-year-old is from Louisville and played football at the school from 1989 to 1993. He also worked as an assistant coach for the Cardinals from 2003 to 2008.
The Boilermakers had an inconsistent six-season run under Brohm. They went 36-34, and this season saw them play in the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time.
Brian Brohm, Jeff's brother and Purdue's offensive coordinator since 2017, will serve as interim head coach for the Citrus Bowl.
Walters was named as Brohm's replacement Tuesday. He spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator at the University of Illinois.
Brees, Purdue's starting quarterback from 1998 to 2000, is one of the best football players in school history. He is its all-time leader in passing yards (11,792), completions (1,026) and passing touchdowns (90).
In his final college season, Brees led the Boilermakers to a share of the Big Ten championship and an appearance in the Rose Bowl.
A victory in the Citrus Bowl will give Purdue nine wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997-98.
Illinois DC Ryan Walters Named Purdue Football HC After Jeff Brohm Exit
Dec 13, 2022
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Illinois Fighting Illini defensive coordinator Ryan Walters walks the field before the college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 5, 2022, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Purdue named Ryan Walters as its next football head coach on Tuesday.
The next chapter of 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 is here. @Coach_Walters, 𝐁𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐏!
The announcement fills the vacancy created when former head coach Jeff Brohm left for his alma mater Louisville.
Walters, 36, becomes the fourth-youngest head coach in FBS after spending the past two years as the defensive coordinator at Illinois.
"Purdue is a world-class university, and our football program will pursue the same excellence exhibited across our campus," Walters said in a statement. "My wife Tara and I, along with our boys, are beyond excited to join the Purdue and West Lafayette communities. Boiler Up!"
Illinois currently has the No. 1 scoring defense in college football this season, allowing just 12.3 points per game en route to an 8-4 record. Only three of 12 opponents topped 20 points against the Illini this year, while even No. 2 Michigan was held in check before pulling out a 19-17 win.
It's been part of a massive transformation for Illinois, which went 2-6 during the shortened 2020 season with a defense that was tied for 97th in college football in points allowed (34.9 per game).
Walters turned things around after arriving in 2021, leading the 29th-ranked scoring defense (21.9 ppg), before putting together an elite unit in 2022.
The former Colorado safety transitioned to coaching after graduating in December 2008, becoming a student assistant for the Buffaloes. After stops at Arizona, Oklahoma, North Texas and Memphis, Walters spent six seasons at Missouri and worked his way up to defensive coordinator.
The coach will look to continue his success at Purdue, which went 17-9 the past two years under Brohm. The squad earned a trip to the Big Ten title game this year and will head to the Citrus Bowl against LSU with an 8-5 record.
Report: Jeff Brohm Finalizing Contract as Louisville HC After 6 Seasons with Purdue
Dec 7, 2022
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 26: Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm prior to a college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Indiana Hoosiers on November 26, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Purdue football head coach Jeff Brohm is finalizing a deal to take the same position at Louisville, per Chris Low of ESPN.
The reported pact would pay Brohm $35 million over six years.
Louisville had an opening at head coach after Scott Satterfield left the team to take the job at Cincinnati earlier this week.
Brohm has spent the past six years at Purdue, producing a 36-34 record. The squad went 8-5 in 2022 and made an appearance in the Big Ten title game.
The 51-year-old took over a program that went 3-9 in 2016, winning just nine games in the previous four years combined. Brohm led Purdue to a winning record in his first year, including a victory in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Last year, the Boilermakers won the Music City Bowl to end the season at 9-4, the program's best record since 2003.
Before his time at Purdue, Brohm went 30-10 across three seasons at Western Kentucky, including three bowl wins. The Hilltoppers went 12-2 in 2015, making their only appearance in the Associated Press Top 25 that year.
The coach will return home after starring as a player at Trinity High School in Louisville, winning the Kentucky Mr. Football Award as a senior in 1988. He went to Louisville from 1989 to 1993, throwing 38 career touchdown passes while leading the squad to a 9-3 record as a senior.
Brohm was inducted into the school's Ring of Honor in 2006.
After a seven-year NFL career, mostly as a backup, and one year in the XFL, Brohm returned to his alma mater as a coach. He led the quarterbacks from 2003 to 2006, becoming an assistant head coach in 2007 and offensive coordinator in 2008.
Louisville is coming off a 7-5 regular season and will face Cincinnati in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 17.
George Karlaftis Drafted by Chiefs: Kansas City's Updated Depth Chart After Round 1
Apr 29, 2022
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 27: George Karlaftis #5 of the Purdue Boilermakers reacts after a play during the second quarter in the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 27, 2021 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Purdue Boilermakers defensive end George Karlaftis with the 30th pick in the 2022 NFL draft on Thursday in Las Vegas.
Karlaftis becomes the first Purdue player since Ryan Kerrigan in 2011 to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft. He is also just the third Boilermaker since 2021 to be drafted, joining Rondale Moore and Derrick Barnes.
Karlaftis was consistent in each of his three seasons with Purdue. The 20-year-old recorded 5.0 sacks, 41 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 12 games during the 2021 season.
In 27 career games, Karlaftis totaled 14.5 sacks, 99 tackles, 30.5 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Here is what the Chiefs depth chart will look like following the selection of Karlaftis.
Bleacher Report's Scouting Department ranked Karlaftis as the eighth-best player in the 2022 class in its final big board. He was also ranked as the second-best edge in the class behind Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Scouting Department also listed Washington Commanders' Ryan Kerrigan as Karlaftis' pro comparison based on his "great first step, active hands" and power.
"Karlaftis has exceptional potential and will already have some ways to provide value early on as he continues to develop. As a three-year starter, he got better each season at Purdue, which should bode well for him unlocking himself further in the NFL. Karlaftis has the size, explosiveness and run-pass versatility to be one of the most disruptive players in the NFL in a few seasons."
While Karlaftis might not have the best rookie season, he'll certainly turn into one of the best edge rushers in the NFL once he develops a little further.
Adding pressure off the edge was a major need for the Chiefs, providing balance alongside Chris Jones and Frank Clark already starring in the front-seven. Karlaftis can rotate with Michael Danna and help a defense that finished 27th in the NFL against the pass last year.
After already selecting cornerback Trent McDuffie, it's clear Kansas City has improved defensively on Day 1 of the draft.
Purdue Defeats Tennessee in Overtime in Chaotic 2021 Music City Bowl
Dec 31, 2021
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Aidan O'Connell #16 of the Purdue Boilermakers passes the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Purdue survived a wild battle with Tennessee to earn a 48-45 overtime win in the Music City Bowl.
Aidan O'Connell totaled 534 passing yards and five touchdowns Thursday in front of a packed crowd at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
It was a back-and-forth battle throughout, with Purdue overcoming a slow start to take a 23-21 lead at halftime. Of course, the chaos truly started in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter.
With Tennessee up 31-30, the teams combined for four touchdowns in a span of three minutes and 23 seconds.
All season long we’ve seen officials not blow plays dead with forward progress. How many times have seen Bush push situations but Here we did! A real shame. It’s been such a great game.
It helped the Boilermakers close their season at 9-4, the program's most wins in a season since 2003. The success came after three straight losing seasons, including a 2-4 mark in 2020.
Tennessee also had a strong first season under Josh Heupel after going 3-7 last year, but the 7-6 final record still leaves room for improvement.
Hendon Hooker finished with five touchdown passes, but it wasn't enough for the Volunteers to pull out a win.
In overtime, the coaching staff put the game on the line with a pair of fourth-down tries. After converting the first, the second was ruled to be short to leave Purdue with an easy path to victory.
The talent was seemingly enough for Tennessee to pull away for an easy win, but the mental and physical errors held the team back in the disappointing loss.
Aidan O'Connell Thrives for Purdue Without Top Weapons
It was a difficult task entering the game for Aidan O'Connell, who had to run the offense without David Bell after the All-Big Ten receiver opted out of the game. No. 2 receiver Milton Wright was also unavailable and T.J. Sheffield suffered an injury in the second half of Thursday's game.
The passing attack still excelled at times with O'Connell throwing impressive passes all around the field.
Purdue showed it was ready to compete early on with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Broc Thompson.
Jeff Brohm is the real all-gas, no-brakes play caller. Missed a fourth-down pass from O'Connell to Broc Thompson, then came right back with a bomb to Thompson to open the next possession for a TD.
The Boilermakers eventually took the 23-21 halftime lead when O'Connell found a wide-open Payne Durham in the end zone. Purdue outscored Tennessee 16-0 in the second quarter and kept the momentum after halftime.
It wasn't all perfect for O'Connell, who made some rare mistakes after totaling 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last five games of the regular season.
He stayed aggressive without his top receivers, but this led to some regrettable passes.
O'Connell uncharacteristically wild today. It's cost them two scores and at least two of the INTs.
Purdue still found a way to come out on top with players like Thompson and Durham stepping up when it mattered.
The Boilermakers showed incredible depth and resolve to win the high-scoring battle.
No. 4 Ohio State Beats No. 19 Purdue 59-31 Behind Garrett Wilson's 4 Total TDs
Nov 14, 2021
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud looks for a a receiver during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Penn State on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State did not fall victim to the Purdue curse thanks to an easy 59-31victory on Saturday at the Horseshoe.
After previously knocking Iowa and Michigan State from the ranks of the unbeaten, the Boilermakers faced their biggest test of the season this week.
Ohio State came into this matchup with a blemish on its resume, but head coach Ryan Day's squad had been averaging 47.3 points in seven games since losing to Oregon on Sept. 11.
It's been three years since these two Big Ten programs last met. Purdue stunned the Buckeyes, who were undefeated, 49-20 in that game to keep them out of the College Football Playoff.
There was no doubt about the outcome of this game. Ohio State was up by 14 at the end of the first quarter and scored 45 points in the first half.
Neither offense had any trouble moving the ball in this game. Both teams combined for 1,105total yards. Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Aidan O'Connell each threw for more than 350 yards.
Garrett Wilson, who entered the game with six touchdowns all season, found the end zone four times. He finished with a season-high 126 yards on 10 receptions.
Coming into this week, Matt Fortuna of The Athletic conducted a straw poll featuring writers from the website to vote for the Heisman. Not surprisingly, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III was the runaway winner with 69 first-place votes and 88 total points.
Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis was second with 15 first-place votes and 36 points. A quick scan of the entire list shows that Stroud didn't receive any support.
For a quarterback of one of the best teams in the nation who entered this week completing 67 percent of his attempts for 2,675 yards and 25 touchdowns not to be at least in the conversation seemed odd.
To be fair, Stroud was coming off his worst game against Nebraska with two interceptions. The talking point coming out of that was why he wasn't running the ball:
CJ Stroud needs to run more. I don’t know if he’s being coached to look for somebody to come open, but he turns down A LOT of free yards.
Important thing to remember re: CJ Stroud. He is not Justin Fields. Justin Fields was a one of a kind legitimate dual threat (with a green light to run). CJ may get there but he’s not right now. Patience is key.
Stroud did acknowledge recently that he suffered a separated AC joint in his right shoulder during the season opener against Minnesota. It's plausible he may not want to take any additional hits to protect the injury.
After Saturday's dominant performance, Stroud deserves to be talked about in the same breath as Walker, Davis and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. The freshman sensation has thrown for at least 300 yards in five of the past six games. He has thrown at least four touchdowns four times during that span.
Stroud could be dinged in a similar way that Mac Jones was last season.
Jones had a brilliant 2020 for Alabama, but he played on arguably the best roster Nick Saban has ever assembled. DeVonta Smith was certainly a deserving Heisman winner with 1,856 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns catching passes from Jones.
Stroud absolutely benefits from playing on a team that has TreVeyon Henderson at running back and the trio of wide receivers Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave.
It's telling about how deep the Buckeyes are that Olave is the third-leading receiver in a game but still manages 85 yards on nine receptions.
There are plenty of accolades to go around on this offense. Ohio State's dominant performance this week should quiet any concerns after a close call against Nebraska.
It's a good thing the Buckeyes appear to have hit their stride because things don't get any easier. They have to play Michigan State and Michigan to wrap up the regular season.
O'Connell Shines, but Boilermakers Defense Falters
Saturday's game, while not a complete embarrassment for the program, was certainly a step back. O'Connell's performance is one of the positives to take away. The senior followed up his 536-yard showing against the Spartans with 390yards and four touchdowns.
O'Connell's last three games have seen him make a dramatic turn. The Illinois native has thrown nine touchdowns with zero interceptions and is completing 75.5percent of his passes.
For comparison, in his first six games, O'Connell threw one more interception (eight) than touchdowns (seven).
As good as he was, though, the Boilermakers defense wasn't able to do anything against Ohio State. The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on seven of their first eight possessions. The one non-touchdown drive ended with a field goal.
Purdue’s defense just looks completely unprepared for everything Ohio State is doing today.
Ohio State's only non-scoring drive was a three-and-out midway through the third quarter. Purdue got back in the game on its ensuing offensive possession thanks to an 87-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass to Jackson Anthrop that made the score 52-31.
Already boasting wins over then-No. 2 Iowa and then-No. 5 Michigan State, the Boilermakers are certainly in the midst of their best season under head coach Jeff Brohm.
They have already won as many games in 2021 as they did in the previous two years combined (six).
The victory over Michigan State last week was enough to get the College Football Playoff selection committee to put Purdue at No. 19 in this week's rankings.
Even with Saturday's slip-up against a team that is just better across the board, though, the Boilermakers have had a successful year no matter what happens the rest of the way. They are already bowl eligible for the first time since 2018, with two games left on the schedule.
What's Next?
Ohio State plays Michigan State at the Horseshoe in a game that could determine the Big Ten East champion next Saturday. Purdue will take on Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago the same day.
Kenneth Walker III, No. 3 Michigan State Upset by Purdue for 1st Loss of Season
Nov 6, 2021
Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) makes a catch for a touchdown against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell completed 40-of-54 passes for 536 yards and three touchdowns as the unranked Boilermakers upset the No. 3 Michigan State Spartans 40-29 on Saturday.
Wide receiver David Bell caught 11 passes for 217 yards and one score to pace the Boilermaker passing attack. Jackson Anthrop added six receptions for 80 yards and one score.
The Boilermaker possessed the ball for 35:13 en route to its dominant offensive performance.
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III had 156 total yards and one touchdown to lead the Spartan offense. Quarterback Payton Thorne had three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) to go along with 323 yards (276 passing, 47 rushing) and an interception.
Tre Mosley caught both of Thorne's touchdowns en route to three catches and 44 yards.
Michigan State played without wideout Jalen Nailor and left tackle Jarrett Horst, per Matt Wenzel of MLive.com.
Thorne's 32-yard touchdown run and the ensuing point-after attempt tied the game at 21 in the third quarter.
Purdue responded with 16 consecutive points thanks to a King Doerue one-yard touchdown run and a trio of Mitchell Fineran field goals.
Thorne found Mosley for an 11-yard touchdown in response, and the signal-caller's pass to Maliq Carr for a two-point conversion made the score 37-29 in Purdue's favor with 5:03 left.
The Boilermakers then shut the door on Michigan State's comeback attempt with a 10-play, 76-yard drive capped by a Fineran 22-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining. The drive started with an O'Connell pass to Doerue for 46 yards.
Purdue moved to 6-3 overall (4-2 Big Ten). The Spartans fell to 8-1 (5-1 Big Ten).
Purdue's passing game controlled this contest, and a trick play helped swing momentum firmly in its favor.
Michigan State ended up tying the game, but Purdue's passing attack kept the Spartans on their heels. Bell played a big part in that effort, as he continued his collegiate dominance:
🚨 RECORD-BREAKER 🚨@DB3LL now with 15 career 100-yard games -- a new Purdue school record.
On defense, Purdue did give up 29 points, but that group came up strong when needed the most. After MSU tied the game at 21, the Boilermakers forced a pair of punts and forced Thorne to throw an interception to Dedrick Mackey from 4th-and-goal on the Purdue nine-yard line with 9:12 left:
That proved true in the second half as Purdue slowed down the No. 3 Spartans just enough for the two-score win.
With that, Purdue notched its second win over a Top Five opponent this season. The Boilermakers beat No. 4 Iowa 24-7 on Oct. 16.
Purdue has a habit of beating Top Five Teams as an unranked underdog, as ESPN Stats & Info noted:
Purdue now has 17 wins against AP top 5 opponents as an unranked team. No other team has more than 11 such wins in the AP Poll Era (since 1936). pic.twitter.com/aA1rt4iVAD
Purdue will have another chance to knock off a top-ranked opponent when it visits No. 5 Ohio State next Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Michigan State will host Maryland at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) celebrates with teammate wide receiver David Bell (3) after scoring on a 6-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
One week after their emotional win over Penn State, the No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 24-7 loss to Purdue at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.
There were certainly a number of questions for the Hawkeyes to answer coming out of last week. Penn State led the game 17-3 before quarterback Sean Clifford got hurt early in the second quarter.
It's a credit to Iowa that it was able to outscore its Big Ten rival 20-3 after Clifford left to seal a win. The victory moved the Hawkeyes up to No. 2 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, their highest ranking since 1985.
Based on Saturday's result, there are still a lot of questions head coach Kirk Ferentz has to figure out with this team.
Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell and wide receiver David Bell lit up Iowa's secondary.
O'Connell threw for a season-high 375 yards and twotouchdowns. The senior came into this game with more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four) in the first four games of the season.
Purdue is now 8 for 12 on third downs at Iowa. Aidan O'Connell has thrown for 360 yards against a Hawkeyes defense that has only allowed over 185 pass yards once in six games this season.
Bell continues to be Purdue's best offensive weapon, especially in games against Iowa. The Indianapolis native had 240 receiving yards on 11 receptions, his fourth 100-yard game of the season. He's torched the Hawkeyes secondary for three years running.
Noted Hawkeye killer David Bell's career stats against Iowa:
Only one receiver has had more than 81 yards this season against Iowa (Kent State’s Keshunn Abram who had 138 in a 30-7 loss). Today, Purdue’s fantastic WR David Bell’s put up 11 catches for 240 yards at the Boilers are really putting it on the Hawkeyes.
Iowa's strength through the first six games of the season had been on defense. That unit ranked third in the nation in yards allowed per play (4.02), seventh in yards allowed per game (274.0) and tied for seventh in touchdowns allowed (nine).
Purdue burned that group for 464 yards, 24 first downs (9-of-16 on third downs) and 8.8 yards per pass attempt.
Bell had almost as many receiving receiving as Iowa did in total offense (271). Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras had his worst game of the season with 195 yards and four interceptions. He only had two interceptions through the first six weeks.
Consistency has been an issue for the Boilermakers so far this season. They had lost two of their past three games, including a 20-13 home defeat to Minnesota last week. Sandwiched between those losses was a narrow 13-9 victory over an Illinois team that is just 2-5 this season.
Saturday's win could be a huge momentum shift for head coach Jeff Brohm. The schedule eases up with games against Wisconsin and Nebraska before things pick up on Nov. 6 against Michigan State and Nov. 13 at Ohio State.
Iowa was supposed to be out of its most difficult stretch of the season. Penn State was the last ranked opponent remaining on its schedule, based on the current AP Top 25 poll.
Heading into next week's game at Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes suddenly look very vulnerable in the race for the top spot in the Big Ten West.
