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Purdue’s best, worst season since 2014 B1G expansion
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Coming out of back-to-back disappointing seasons, Jeff Brohm enters a crucial Year 5 leading Purdue.
As we continue to look back on the first seven years of the expanded 14-team B1G, Purdue provides an interesting case to examine. From 2014-16, the Darrell Hazell experiment came to a thudding end while Brohm quickly brought a glimpse of promise.
Unfortunately, the back-to-back bowl appearances in Brohm’s first two seasons now feel far removed after a 6-12 overall record since 2019. Injuries and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 season have impacted results, but 2021 still presents a crucial moment for Brohm and the Boilermakers.
As we head into the summer, here is a look at the best and worst seasons for Purdue since 2014.
Best season – 2018 (6-7 record, upset of No. 2 Ohio State, Music City Bowl appearance)
Unfortunately, there are really only two seasons to select from here: 2017 with a 7-6 record and bowl win or the 2018 run that ended with a blowout bowl loss to Auburn. But digging past that bowl loss, the 2018 season was more memorable – and fun – than that 2017 campaign.
Consider that from 2017 to 2018, the Boilermakers improved their offense by nearly a full touchdown (25.2 PPG to 30.5 in 2018). The results also speak for themselves. In 2017, Purdue went 0-3 against ranked opponents during the regular season (They also lost to Rutgers). In 2018, the Boilermakers went 3-0 against ranked opponents, including the unforgettable blowout of then-No. 2 Ohio State.
Even the feel-good performances and moments from 2018 outweigh anything from 2017. Quarterback David Blough throwing for 3,700 yards and 25 touchdowns. Rondale Moore’s electric freshman campaign when he accumulated nearly 1,500 yards of offense and went on to become an All-American. Markus Bailey leading the team with 115 tackles and 6.5 sacks. And of course, the aforementioned upset of the Buckeyes with Tyler Trent in the building.
Worst Season – 2015 (2-10 record, 1-7 in B1G play)
Unfortunately, there are a handful of disappointing seasons to pick from for this category. In fact, there have been three seasons since 2014 where Purdue finished with one win in B1G play. What gives 2015 the edge in futility are some of the losses in non-conference play.
Purdue lost the season opener to Marshall by 10 points. The Boilermakers gave up 51 points at home in a loss to Virginia Tech, and they also lost at home to Bowling Green. The overall disappointment was magnified by a defense that gave up 36.5 points per game, a mark that ranked 112th out of 128 teams in the country.
The 2015 campaign marks the last full season that Purdue won just two games. The Boilermakers finished 2-4 against a B1G-only schedule during 2020, but that team likely would have fared better over a full schedule and in non-conference competition.
Total record since 2014: 27-53 (17-41 B1G play)
Average record: 3.9-7.6 (2.4-5.9)
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.