2011 Little Caesars Bowl, Purdue Vs. Western Michigan: Boilermakers Channel Their Inner MACtion For Win

Purdue Football Recruiting: Boilermakers Trying To Upgrade Talent Level

Purdue is bringing its best recruiting class in several years.

Purdue Vs. Western Michigan, Little Caesars Bowl 2011: The Numerical

A look at the stats that mattered in Purdue's wacky 37-32 win over Western Michigan, from turnovers, to double-turnovers, to huge games by Purdue's Akeem Shavers and Western Michigan's Jordan White.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: Purdue Wins Wild One 37-32 Over Western Michigan

Caleb TerBush and Robert Marve threw for touchdowns, helping the Purdue Boilermakers hold on for a 37-32 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.

Raheem Mostert returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, while Carson Wiggs kicked three field goals and recovered two onside kicks. The Boilermakers (7-6) also recovered a fumble with under two minutes left to secure a victory in their first postseason appearance since the 2007 season, when they won the Motor City Bowl.

It was Purdue's first bowl game under third-year head coach Danny Hope.

The Boilermakers grabbed control with a 20-point second quarter, and Western Michigan (7-6) wasn't able to catch up. The Broncos have not won a bowl game in four tries.

Alex Carder threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns for WMU, but was intercepted four times.

Western Michigan grabbed the lead thanks to a turnover early in the first quarter. Paul Hazel sacked TerBush and forced a fumble, which the Broncos recovered at the Purdue 49. The sack occurred on third down and would have forced Purdue to punt anyway, but the fumble provided Western Michigan with good field position.

It took advantage one play later -- Carder found Jordan White for a 49-yard TD, and kicker John Potter rushed for a two-point conversion.

That began a series of drives and plays that provided high drama. Following the WMU touchdown, in chronological order:

- Wiggs missed a 45-yard field goal and Carder was intercepted by Albert Evans, who returned the ball to the Broncos' 38. That led to a one-yard TD pass from Marve to Reggie Pegram on 3rd-and-goal.

- Wiggs recovered an on-side kick.

- Purdue running back Akeem Hunt fumbled the ball away four plays into the bonus possession, but Purdue got it back when Gerald Gooden picked off Carder. That led to a 49-yard kick from Wiggs and a 10-8 Purdue edge with 10 1/2 minutes left in the half.

- Western Michigan drove for a touchdown. Carder hit Josh Schaffer from a yard away on third down.

- Mostert returned the following kickoff 99 yards for a score, putting the Boilermakers back in front.

- Wiggs attempted an on-side kick for a second time, and for the second time it worked. This one resulted in Pegram's one-yard run across the goal line with 4:57 to play. On the final play of the half, Wiggs connected on a 19-yard field goal to send Purdue into the break with a 27-15 advantage.

The Boilermakers never ran away with the game in the second half, but did enough -- offensively and defensively -- to keep Western Michigan from getting back into the game.

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: WMU's Jordan White Having Monster Game

If the Western Michigan Broncos are going to comeback and win the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl, it's probably going to be because of wide receiver Jordan White.

With half a quarter left to play and the Broncos down 37-25 to the Purdue Boilermakers, White is having a monster day with 12 receptions, 240 yards and a touchdown. More than a few of those catches have been highlight-makers as well, including the flea-flicker touchdown catch and his one-handed grab in double coverage.

If folks didn't know who White was coming into the bowl game, they do now. As a senior this year, White led all FBS players in total receiving yards (1,646), total receptions (127), receiving yards per game (137.17) and receptions per game (10.57). He was named an All-American by multiple associations, was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and first-team All-MAC.

White is the first "consensus" All-American in school history at Western Michigan.

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: Purdue Out-MACtioning Western Michigan

The Western Michigan Broncos did their best to represent MACtion at the beginning of the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl with a flea-flicker and trick-play, two-point conversion. Since then, however, the Purdue Boilermakers have done their best MAC school impression and now lead the wild pizza-themed game 34-25 late in the third quarter.

Western Michigan opened the second-half with a nine-play drive that led to a 31-yard field goal. Three Purdue penalties helped their cause along the way.

After a Purdue three-and-out, the Broncos had the chance to get back in the lead. However, for the second time in the game, the Boilermakers stopped them on fourth down at the Purdue 20 and killed WMU's momentum.

From there, Purdue went 80 yards in a hurry. Thanks to two 33-yard passes by Caleb TerBush, the second of which was a touchdown pass to Gary Bush, Purdue extended its lead to 34-18.

Down but not out, Western Michigan responded by going on the offensive. Quarterback Alex Carder was intercepted at one point, though the Purdue defender fumbled the ball on the return and WMU recovered. They then drove the rest of the way to the endzone, scoring on a Tevin Drake punch-in to make it 34-25.

Both teams are over 300 yards of offense and the turnover count is at a robust six. We're not done here. Not by a longshot.

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: Take A Breath, Purdue Leads WMU 27-15 At Halftime

Not too many people had the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl circled on their calendar this bowl season. However, if the Western Michigan Broncos and Purdue Boilermakers can keep this up in the second half, it might be remembered as the most exciting one of them all.

In a first half that included two recovered onside kicks, a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a flea-flicker touchdown, an extra point fake, a fourth-down stop and four turnovers, Purdue overcame a 15-7 deficit to take a 27-15 lead into halftime.

The half ended with perhaps the most surprising 19-yard field goal of the season. Not surprising for how Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs made it, but because it didn't involve any kind of fake, fumble or crazy play.

Purdue's lead justifies its advantage in the total yards battle (275 to 184). Their issues has been turnovers. The Boilermakers have fumbled the football five times, two of which led to turnovers. The first turnover directly led to Western Michigan's first score, a 49-yard flea-flicker bomb.

Robert Marve had played great in relief of Caleb TerBush, who was injured early on but has since returned to alternating action. Marve is 6-of-7 for 76 yards and a touchdown. RB Akeem Shavers leads Purdue with 79 yards on 10 carries while Reggie Pegram ran in a score.

Meanwhile, WMU's Alex Carder has had a lot of highs and a lot of lows on the day so far. He's thrown two touchdowns but also thrown two interceptions as part of his 9-for-20, 141 yard performance. Carder is also leading the anemic rushing attack with 19 yards on four attempts.

Jordan White leads the Broncos with 96 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.

Before the second half begins, take a breathe, adjust your seat and get ready for the show. A lineman touchdown...blocked field goals returned for scores...Statue of Liberty plays...nothing seems out of the question from here on out.

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: Purdue, WMU Both In Full-Blown MACtion Mode

Let us never doubt the Little Caesar Bowl ever again (Little Caesars Pizza, however, remains suspect).

The first quarter of the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl between the Western Michigan Broncos and Purdue Boilermakers saw both teams pulling out trick plays and big scores. Apparently that was simple the appetizer for the second quarter.

Down 8-7 heading into the 2nd, Purdue immediately fumbled away the ball. Western Michigan was also in the giving mood, giving the ball right back with an interception. That led to a Purdue field goal, giving them a 10-8 lead at the 12:49 mark.

The Broncos then put together a solid 12-play, 74 yard drive helped along by a critical Purde penalty, finishing with a one-yard touchdown pass from Alex Carder to Josh Schaffer. WMU was back in the driver's seat with a 15-10 lead.

Then the kicked off...and Purdue's Raheem Mostert promptly returned the ball 99 yards for a touchdown, making it 17-15 Boilermakers. Adding insult to injury, the Makers then kicked their second onside kick of the day and recovering it to boot.

Purdue didn't waste the opportunity, driving 61 yards and scoring a touchdown on a one-yard run by Reggie Pegram to make it 24-15 Purdue with 5:00 to go in the half.

So if you're keeping track at home, we've got five touchdowns, one on a 99-yard kickoff return, two recovered onside kicks, a flea-flicker touchdown and a two-point conversion on an extra-point fake. The second half might melt your television.

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

VIDEO: Western Michigan Flea-Flicker Touchdown In Little Caesars Bowl

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: Anything WMU Can Do, Purdue Can Do Better

Anything the Western Michigan Broncos can do, the Purdue Boilermakers can do better. The 2011 Little Caesars Bowl has turned into a game of oneupsmanship. Trickeration isn't just for MAC teams anymore.

Following WMU's flea-flicker touchdown and two-point conversation fakeout, Purdue went to work behind backup quarterback Robert Marve, in for the injured Caleb TerBush. Following a Bronco interception, Marve took over at the WMU 38. Nine plays later, including a fantastic catch in double-coverage by Antavian Edison, Marve hit Reggie Pegram for the one-yard tochdown, bringing Purde back within one, 8-7.

As the first quarter ended, Purdue upped the ante by kicking, and recovering, an onside kick on their own 41.

If the first quarter is any indication, we're in for a surprisingly-exciting Little Caesars Bowl. Crazy bread for everyone!

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: Western Michigan Takes Early Lead With Flea-Flicker, Two-Point Conversion

The Western Michigan Broncos are promising to make the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers the most exciting Pizza Bowl you've ever seen.

At the 10:00 mark of the first quarter, Purdue QB Caleb TerBush fumbled the ball while being sacked, giving WMU possession at the Boilermaker 49. All it took from there was one play, a beautiful flea-flicker bomb from Alex Carder to Bronco receiver Jordan White for the touchdown.

On the extra point attempt, WMU wasn't done with the trickery. They faked the kick and John Potter ran the ball into the endzone for two points, increasing their lead to 8-0 over Purdue.

The Broncos have come out firing so far. Carder has five pass attempts and WMU has tried multiple trick plays so far. I don't think they're done yet.

TerBush was injured on the sack that led to the fumble and has been replaced by Robert Marve.

By the way, it's the first bowl game lead that WMU has ever had. They're certainly living up to their signage so far (via mocksession.com):

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

2011 Little Caesars Bowl: This Game Matters To Western Michigan

If pressed, you'd probably admit you don't much care who wins the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl between the Purdue Boilermakers and Western Michigan Broncos. And the truth is, most anyone outside both fanbases might not have even realized the game was on today.

But don't tell that to WMU faithful and their MAC bretheren. Where you see another bowl game between middling teams that you didn't watch at all this season, they see opportunity. Where you see a 7-5 MAC team and a 6-6 Big Ten squad, they see a chance to make a statement.

SB Nation's MAC blog The Hustle Belt explains...

But it might be the best facet of MAC football to some. At its best, it's a proven MAC team playing a decent Big Ten team on a neutral field. This isn't Akron-Ohio State, or Kent State-Alabama. It's a team with a chance, but more importantly, it's a team that has been together for a dozen games, rather than slumming through the first month trying to figure out everybody's strengths.

This is a final exam for Western Michigan. They played through a full season, did a lot of great things offensively, somehow flaunted the MAC Defensive POY, and get to play a Big Ten team who I respect above others because they'll actually — gasp — travel to MAC schools.

A win here doesn't earn the MAC a BCS bid or change the dynamic between them and the Big Ten. But it's still a win over a Big Ten squad in Big Ten country. Or should I say MAC country?

For more on the Broncos, visit The Hustle Belt. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

Purdue Vs. Western Michigan, Pizza! Pizza! Bowl 2011: Receivers As Workhorse Backs

Purdue cannot stop the pass, and Western Michigan only occasionally tries to run. Can the Boilermakers keep up if Jordan White and company get rolling?

Little Caesars Bowl 2011, Purdue Vs. Western Michigan: Time, TV Schedule, Odds And More

The Purdue Boilermakers finally got back to a bowl game and are set to take on the Western Michigan Broncos in the Little Caesars Bowl.

Little Caesars Bowl 2011, Western Michigan Vs. Purdue: Boilermakers Get Back To Bowl

The last time the Purdue Boilermakers played a bowl game four years ago, they took on a team from the MAC. Once again the Boilermakers find themselves taking on a MAC opponent in the Western Michigan Broncos. "We're a good football team, and we've won some big games this season," said Purdue head coach Danny Hope. "We're excited to (have) this opportunity to have a winning season." The Boilermakers have struggled offensively this season, scoring just 26 points per game and bouncing back and forth between quarterbacks before finally settling on Caleb TerBush.

Western Michigan Quarterback Alex Carder leads the nation's eighth ranked passing attack against the Boilermakers. "It means a lot to play another game, and it's exciting to play against an opponent from a power conference like the Big Ten," All-American wide receiver Jordan White said. "Hopefully, we can do well." White leads the Broncos with 1,646 receiving yards on the season and is just 110 yards away from being the MAC all-time leader in receiving yards. The Boilermakers hope to get a break on offense against the MAC's second worst defense.

Game date, time: 4:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, December 27th

Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

TV channel: ESPN/ESPN3

Odds: Purdue favored by 2.5

For more college football, stay tuned to SB Nation’s college football news coverage. And visit our many college football blogs. For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

Purdue Coach Danny Hope Gets Two-Year Extension

Purdue coach Danny Hope has been granted a two-year contract extension.

Little Caesars Bowl 2011: Purdue's Gerald Gooden, Will Lucas Arrested

Purdue Boilermakers football players are doing a very good job of getting themselves into trouble at the moment. First, the team's leading tackler Dwayne Beckford got himself arrested on suspicion of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. On Monday, two more Boilermakers starters found themselves in handcuffs. Both defensive end Gerald Gooden and outside linebacker Will Lucas were arrested and charged with theft.

That's now three -- count 'em! -- three Boilermakers starting defensive player who are very unlikely to play in the Little Caesar's Bowl against the Western Michigan Broncos on account of getting arrested. This is apparently Beckford's third run-in with the law this season. The Boilermakers are also missing wide receiver O.J. Ross, who has been suspended indefinitely. 

It goes without saying that it is a bad thing when three of a team's defensive starters get arrested in three days. Danny Hope has a bit of work to do.

For more on the Boilermakers, visit Purdue blog Hammer and Rails.

Purdue's Dwayne Beckford, O.J. Ross Likely Out For Little Caesars Bowl

Top Purdue defender Dwayne Beckford may miss the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl, while wide receiver O.J. Ross is already out.

Little Caesars Bowl 2011: Purdue, Western Michigan Engage In Rust Belt Action

The Purdue Boilermakers will make the 2011 Little Caesars Bowl against one of the country's bowl bubble teams, the Western Michigan Broncos, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Previously known as the Motor City Bowl, the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl has been played annually since 1997. Originally played at the Pontiac Silverdome, the game moved to Ford Field in downtown Detroit in 2002.

The 2011 version of the game will be played Tuesday, December 27th at 4:30 p.m. and televised on ESPN. Beth Mowins, Mike Bellotti & Eamon McAnaney will announce the game.

Traditionally a match-up between a Big Ten team and a MAC team, the game has seen the most appearances from Marshall (five), Toledo (four) and Central Michigan (three). Cincinnati has also appeared in the game twice.

Game date, time: 4:30 pm ET, Tuesday, December 27

Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

TV channel: ESPN

2010 winner and loser: FIU 34 - Toledo 32

For more on each bowl game as it’s announced, stay tuned to SB Nation’s 2011 college football bowl game bids coverage. And visit our many college football blogs.