WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (PURDUE SPORTS) â Sophomore rush end Will Heldt’s pick six sparked a second half rally, as the Hammer Down team defeated the Boiler Up team 17-13 in the Purdue Football Spring Game on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium.
The Hammer Down team consisted of the defensive starters and the offensive backups, while the Boiler Up team featured the offensive starters and the defensive backups.
Hudson Card found Andrew Sowinski for a 58-yard touchdown in the first quarter to get Boiler Up out to an early lead, but Heldt and the starting defense battled back to help lead their team to victory and bragging rights in the annual team scrimmage.
The game featured a running clock for the majority of the final three quarters, but there was still plenty of action as the Boilermakers battled in front of their fans for the first time in 2024. It was an opportunity for head coach Ryan Walters to see his team compete on both sides of the ball.
“I thought the format allowed for a controlled environment where we kept guys healthy, but still got good work and got to evaluate and see some things in terms of in-game situations, in your home stadium, in front of your home crowd, while it’s on TV,” said Walters. “All those things can add to the experience to get us ready for the fall.”
Facing fourth-and-goal on the final drive of the game, redshirt-freshman Jake Wilson connected with fellow redshirt-freshman Ryne Shackelford for a 6-yard touchdown pass to complete the comeback for Hammer Down.
While the annual spring game usually marks the end of spring ball, the Boilermakers have one more week of practice before the end of the semester.
