Field Level Media
Sep 11, 2021
Jack Plummer threw three of his career-high four touchdown passes to David Bell and Purdue punctuated a rough week for UConn with a 49-0 nonconference victory on Saturday in East Hartford, Conn.
Plummer completed 16 of 20 passes for 245 yards with no interceptions and Bell had six receptions for 121 yards to lead the Boilermakers (2-0). Neither played in the second half with Purdue leading 35-0 at the break.
It was a rocky debut for UConn interim coach Lou Spanos, who took over on Monday when Randy Edsall stepped down following losses to Fresno State and FCS member Holy Cross to start the season.
The Huskies (0-3) were outgained 562-223 as the Boilermakers registered their first shutout since 2011.
After a three-and-out on its opening drive, Purdue scored touchdowns on its next seven possessions.
Plummer's 17-yard touchdown pass to Payne Durham opened the floodgates with 5:06 left in the first quarter.
Purdue's 28-point second quarter included a 1-yard run up the middle by King Doerue and three TD grabs by Bell, who repeatedly made UConn tacklers miss while scoring from 30, 59 and 8 yards out.
Steven Krajewski made his first career start for the Huskies and was 14-of-25 passing for 99 yards and an interception. He also rushed for a team-high 42 yards.
Aidan O'Connell took over for Plummer to start the second half and continued the onslaught, tossing third-quarter touchdown passes to Mershawn Rice (15 yards) and TJ Sheffield (5 yards) to make it 49-0.
Joe McFadden missed a 49-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter for UConn, which was shut out for the second time this season.
It was the first-ever meeting between the Boilermakers of the Big Ten and the independent Huskies.
Purdue lost starting tailback Zander Horvath to an injury in the first quarter. He was helped to the locker room and returned to the sideline with a boot on his lower left leg.
--Field Level Media