BLOOMINGTON — Purdue football fans can take solace in one thing: the challenging 2024 season has come to a close.
The Boilermakers were dealt a heavy blow with a 66-0 defeat against 10th-ranked Indiana at Memorial Stadium, marking an end to a season defined by hardships and giving fans the chance to look forward to potential improvements in 2025.
The statistics tell a stark story about Purdue’s struggles this year. The team finished the season with a disheartening 1-11 record, facing multiple challenges. In particular, they were shut out during the first half of games five times, and notably did not score a single touchdown in the first quarter of their eleven matchups against FBS opponents. The Boilermakers were outscored 104-13 in the first quarter alone, and the overall first half score against opponents ballooned to 236-53, with a 28-0 deficit against Indiana at halftime on Saturday.
The second half of the game began with a change at quarterback, yet the performance did not improve. A fumbled handoff on the game’s opening play ultimately led to another score for Indiana, further highlighting Purdue’s struggles. The team couldn’t muster enough offense, failing to achieve 100 total yards and committing four turnovers throughout the match.
Looking ahead, questions surrounding the future of head coach Ryan Walters have intensified, particularly as the losses continued to stack up in a lopsided manner. Fans have expressed growing frustration, especially as the recruitment landscape changed dramatically; Purdue has lost eight recruits from its 2025 class, including three just this week.
Despite these challenges, there’s a potential silver lining for Purdue football. The end of the 2024 season opens the door for rebuilding, redefining strategies, and assembling a fresh roster. Engaging in constructive discussions about the coaching staff and recruitment strategy could usher in a new era for the program, allowing the Boilermakers to rise from this difficult phase stronger than before.
As the early signing period for recruits approaches, this may provide an opportunity for new prospects to join the team and bring in fresh talent to invigorate the program going forward.