American college football season
The 1989 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season . Led by third-year head coach Fred Akers , the Boilermakers compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 2–6 in conference play, placing eighth in the Big Ten. It was Purdue's fifth straight losing season. The team played home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana .
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance September 9 Miami (OH) * W 27–1038,840 September 16 at No. 15 Washington * L 9–3866,392 September 30 12:00 p.m. No. 1 Notre Dame * Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN (rivalry ) ABC L 7–4067,861 October 7 at Minnesota L 15–3536,621 October 14 No. 16 Illinois Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN (rivalry ) L 2–1441,101 October 21 at Ohio State L 3–2189,091 October 28 Michigan State Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN L 21–2841,402 November 4 1:00 p.m. at No. 4 Michigan L 27–42105,128 November 11 Northwestern Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN W 46–1531,470 November 18 Iowa Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN L 0–2431,863 November 25 at Indiana W 15–1451,502 *Non-conference game HomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 1] [ 2]
1989 Purdue Boilermakers football team roster Players Coaches Offense Pos. # Name Class FB 38 Mike Doctor So OL Bruce Brinerman OL Jason Cegielski FB 34 Earl Coleman Fr OL Scott Conover RB Don Delvy WR Rodney Dennis Fr OL Bob Dressel RB Adoaf Harris OL Bill Hitchcock WR Abe Hoskins Fr QB 9 Eric Hunter Fr WR Kipp Koonce QB Jeff Lesniewicz RFr QB 14 Steve Letnich WR Danny Lounsbury TE Dwayne O'Connor WR Robert Oglesby TE Andy Ozlowski OL Derick Schmidt RB Jerome Sparkman OL Larry Taylor TE Kelly Turner RB Tony Vinson Fr WR Jim Wallace WR Calvin Williams Sr OL Jeff Wormsley
Defense Pos. # Name Class LB Eric Beatty DL Kris Burns OL Dennis Dotson CB Steve Jackson Jr DB Terry Johnson CB Derrick Kelson Sr DL Frank Kmet DL Ken Kushner DL Donzel Leggett DB Nat Martin DL Peyton Minter S Jarrett Scales OLB Jim Schwantz So ILB Darren Trieb Jr DB Sean Washington Fr DL Jeff Zgonina
Special teams Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt
Brian Fox transferred after spring practice to Florida , citing a desire to be closer to home and head coach Fred Akers ' adjustment of the offensive scheme.[ 3]
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Game information First quarter
Second quarter
ND – Jeff Alm 16-yard interception return (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:44. Notre Dame 21–0. ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 6:35. Notre Dame 28–0. ND – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (kick failed), 0:14. Notre Dame 34–0. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
ND – Craig Hentrich 19-yard field goal, 9:47. Notre Dame 37–0. ND – Craig Hentrich 22-yard field goal, 6:18. Notre Dame 40–0. PUR – Rodney Dennis 3-yard pass from Steve Letnich (Larry Sullivan kick), 0:33. Notre Dame 40–7. Top passers ND – Tony Rice – 12/15, 270 yards PUR – Steve Letnich – 11/28, 89 yards, INT Top rushers ND – Tony Rice – 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD PUR – Steve Letnich – 13 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers ND – Derek Brown – 4 receptions, 101 yards PUR – Earl Coleman – 2 receptions, 32 yards
Larry Sullivan tied a school record with 51-yard field goal Darren Trieb was suspended for the game for violation of team rules[ 5] Team Category Player Statistics Purdue Passing Jeff Lesniewicz 13/19, 191 Yds, TD, INT Rushing Receiving Minnesota Passing Scott Schaffner 9/19, 144 Yds, 2 TD Rushing Marcus Evans 102 Yds, TD Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP PUR MINN 1 Minnesota Darrell Thompson 7-yard touchdown run, kick good 0 7 2 Purdue 51-yard field goal by Larry Sullivan 3 7 2 4:16 84 Minnesota Marcus Evans 2-yard touchdown run, kick good 3 14 3 2 Minnesota James King 34-yard touchdown reception from Scott Schaffner, kick good 3 21 3 Minnesota Shane Strain 32-yard touchdown reception from Scott Schaffner, kick good 3 28 4 Minnesota Marquel Fleetwood 3-yard touchdown run, kick good 3 35 4 5:17 Purdue Jerome Sparkman 20-yard touchdown run, 2-point conversion failed 9 35 4 0:00 Purdue Rod Dennis 37-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Lesniewicz, 2-point conversion failed 15 35 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 15 35
Jeff Lesniewicz made his first career start for Purdue[ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
We feel real good about ourselves. All we did was read in the paper all week was that we were going to lose by 32 points, and Jeff George was going to come in and do his thing.
Darrin Trieb
Team Category Player Statistics Illinois Passing Jeff George 24/42, 254 Yds, TD Rushing Howard Griffith 24 Rush, 94 Yds, TD Receiving Purdue Passing Jeff Lesniewicz 9/22, 82 Yds Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP ILL PUR 1 9:49 16 80 Illinois Frank Hartley 3-yard touchdown reception from Jeff George , kick good 7 0 4 12:13 Purdue Safety, Craig Davisson blocked punt by Brian Menkhausen out of end zone 7 2 4 0:36 80 Illinois Howard Griffith 1-yard touchdown run, kick good 14 2 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 14 2
Purdue Boilermakers (1–4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (3–2)
at Ohio Stadium , Columbus, Ohio
Date : October 21Game time : 1:30 p.m.Game weather : Overcast, 44 °F (7 °C)Game attendance : 89,091Referee : Jim KemerlingBox Score
Game information First quarter OSU – Greg Frey 4-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 11:40. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:53. OSU – Carlos Snow 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 3:59. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:43. Second quarter Third quarter OSU – Carlos Snow 3-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:50. Ohio St 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 0:59. PUR – Larry Sullivan 25-yard field goal, 5:35. Ohio St 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:15. Fourth quarter Top passers PUR – Eric Hunter – 6/16, 147 yards OSU – Greg Frey – 3/9, 47 yards Top rushers PUR – Jerome Sparkman – 18 rushes, 85 yards OSU – Carlos Snow – 18 rushes, 149 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PUR – Jerome Sparkman – 6 receptions, 86 yards OSU – Jeff Graham – 2 receptions, 37 yards
Homecoming Jeff Lesniewicz knocked out of game with concussion[ 10]
Team Category Player Statistics Michigan St Passing Rushing Receiving Courtney Hawkins 7 Rec, 193 Yds, TD Purdue Passing Eric Hunter 18/26, 253 Yds, 3 TD, INT Rushing Receiving
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP MSU PUR 3 Michigan St Courtney Hawkins 80-yard touchdown reception from Dan Enos , kick good 14 0 4 Purdue Calvin Williams -yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 28 7 4 5 69 Purdue Rod Dennis 20-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 28 14 4 2 41 Purdue Abe Hoskins 34-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 28 21 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 28 21
[ 11]
Team Category Player Statistics Purdue Passing Eric Hunter 27/42, 344 Yds, 4 TD, 2 INT Rushing Jerome Sparkman 11 Rush, 50 Yds Receiving Calvin Williams 13 Rec, 156 Yds, 3 TD Michigan Passing Michael Taylor 8/13, 124 Yds, TD Rushing Tony Boles 13 Rush, 80 Yds, 2 TD Receiving Chris Calloway 3 Rec, 68 Yds, TD
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP PU UM 1 9:16 4 77 1:23 Michigan Tony Boles 39-yard touchdown run, J.D. Carlson kick good 0 7 2 12:50 3 9 1:17 Michigan Desmond Howard 8-yard touchdown reception from Michael Taylor , J.D. Carlson kick good 0 14 2 5:46 8 77 3:25 Purdue Calvin Williams 44-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 7 14 2 2:31 8 80 3:15 Michigan Tony Boles 1-yard touchdown run, J.D. Carlson kick good 7 21 2 0:09 5 79 0:55 Michigan Chris Calloway 29-yard touchdown reception from Elvis Grbac , J.D. Carlson kick good 7 28 3 1:10 3 16 0:57 Michigan Leroy Hoard 2-yard touchdown run, J.D. Carlson kick good 7 35 4 13:03 1 11 0:06 Purdue Robert Oglesby 11-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 14 35 4 12:52 Michigan Kickoff returned 85 yards for touchdown by Tony Boles, J.D. Carlson kick good 14 42 4 6:48 3 34 1:19 Purdue Calvin Williams 3-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 21 42 4 2:33 4 61 1:14 Purdue Calvin Williams 15-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick no good (wide right) 27 42 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 27 42
Purdue snapped a streak of 10 straight games without a first quarter point.[ 13]
Team Category Player Statistics Northwestern Passing Tim O'Brien 15/40, 213 Yds, 2 TD Rushing Bob Christian 21 Rush, 59 Yds Receiving Purdue Passing Eric Hunter 11/24, 263 Yds, 3 TD Rushing Eric Hunter 9 Rush, 55 Yds Receiving Rod Dennis 4 Rec, 146 Yds, 3 TD
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NW PUR 1 13:25 Purdue Blocked punt returned 35 yards for touchdown by Rick Smith, Larry Sullivan kick good 0 7 1 2:02 Purdue 37-yard field goal by Larry Sullivan 0 10 1 Purdue Rod Dennis 39-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 0 17 1 2 Purdue Larry Coleman 6-yard touchdown run, 2-point run good 0 25 1 1:02 Purdue Rod Dennis 46-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 0 32 2 7:38 Northwestern Richard Buchanan 13-yard touchdown reception from Tim O'Brien, kick good 7 32 3 6:32 Northwestern Greg Fischer 6-yard touchdown reception from Tim O'Brien, 2-point pass good 15 32 4 11:23 Purdue Calvin Williams 44-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, Larry Sullivan kick good 15 39 4 1:51 Purdue Rod Dennis 57-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Lesniewicz, Larry Sullivan kick good 15 46 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 15 46
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Larry Sullivan kicked a 32-yard field goal with 2:51 left and Scott Bonnell missed a 26-yard field goal for Indiana with 1:29 remaining. [ 15] Fred Akers was carried off the field by his players.[ 16]
Team Category Player Statistics Purdue Passing Eric Hunter 15/24, 184 Yds, TD Rushing Tony Vinson 9 Rush, 28 Yds Receiving Rod Dennis 4 Rec, 81 Yds Indiana Passing Dave Schnell 11/21, 99 Yds Rushing Anthony Thompson 28 Rush, 97 Yds Receiving Anthony Thompson 4 Rec, 28 Yds
Scoring summary Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP PUR IU 2 Indiana Dave Schnell 3-yard touchdown run, Scott Bonnell kick no good Indiana 26-yard field goal by Scott Bonnell Indiana Safety, Jeff Zgonina snapped ball out of end zone Purdue 24-yard field goal by Larry Sullivan 3 1:11 Indiana 27-yard field goal by Scott Bonnell 3 14 4 14:42 8 79 Purdue Calvin Williams 20-yard touchdown reception from Eric Hunter, 2-point pass failed 9 14 4 11:23 3 Purdue 29-yard field goal by Larry Sullivan 12 14 4 2:51 Purdue 32-yard field goal by Larry Sullivan 15 14 "TOP" = time of possession . For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football . 15 14
Eric Hunter
Big Ten Freshman of the Year[ 17] ^ 1989 Purdue Football Schedule ^ "2022 Purdue Football Record Book" (PDF) . Purdue University Athletics. p. 91. Retrieved February 3, 2023 . ^ "QB Fox Leaving Purdue for Florida" . South Florida Sun Sentinel . Orlando Sentinel. June 14, 1989. Retrieved November 10, 2022 . ^ "Minnesota 35, Purdue 15" . UPI Archives . October 7, 1989. Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Matt Youmans (October 11, 1989). "Loss to Minnesota sidelines key PU starters" . The Purdue Exponent Archives . Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Slater, Jim (October 14, 1989). "Illinois 14, Purdue 2" . UPI Archives . Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Tatlock, David (October 16, 1989). "Purdue Defense Shines in Loss" . The Purdue Exponent Archives . Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Youmans, Matt (October 16, 1989). "Boiler Defense Goes to Waste as Illinois Wins" . The Purdue Exponent Archives . Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Bedics, Mark (October 30, 1989). "Rally Leaves Spartans Grateful" . The Purdue Exponent Archives . Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Bedics, Mark (October 30, 1989). "Rally Leaves Spartans Grateful" . The Purdue Exponent Archives . Retrieved December 23, 2022 . ^ Gainesville Sun. 1989 Nov 5. ^ Tatlock, David (November 13, 1989). "Purdue Collects First Big Ten Win, 46-15" . Purdue University Archives & Special Editions . The Purdue Exponent. Retrieved December 22, 2022 . ^ Cook, Bob (November 11, 1989). "Purdue 46, Northwestern 15" . UPI Archives . Retrieved December 22, 2022 . ^ Slater, Jim (November 25, 1989). "Purdue 15, Indiana 14" . UPI Archives . Retrieved December 25, 2022 . ^ "Upset of IU in 1989 Bucket game shows anything is possible" . Rivals.com . December 8, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2022 . ^ Youmans, Matt (November 27, 1989). "PU Plays 'Spoilermaker' in 15-14 Win Over IU" . The Purdue Exponent Archives . Retrieved December 25, 2022 . ^ Daily Press. 1990 Oct 24. Archived 2014-04-04 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2014-Oct-20.
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