Boilermakers make their second appearance in the Detroit bowl; Broncos to appear in Detroit bowl for the first time
DETROIT – The Little Caesars Pizza Bowl announced today that the Purdue Boilermakers of the Big Ten will meet the Western Michigan Broncos of the Mid-American Conference on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 (4:30pm – ESPN) in Detroit.
Western Michigan enters the bowl with a 7 – 5 record, winning three out of its last four games and owning a 38 - 31 win over Connecticut (UConn) of the Big East Conference during the season.
Purdue’s Boilermakers enter the bowl with a 6 – 6 record, winning two of its last three games including an impressive win over perennial national power, the Ohio State Buckeyes.
“We are excited to have Purdue and Western Michigan in the 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Both teams have significant fan bases and will no doubt bring that support with them to Detroit,” said CEO & Executive Director Ken Hoffman. “The Boilermakers played in a very competitive Big Ten this season that produced ten bowl eligible teams.
WMU played a non-conference schedule that included Michigan in Ann Arbor, Illinois in Champagne, and a win at UConn. We expect an outstanding game, with Purdue having averaged more than 26 points and Western Michigan averaging over 35 points per game, including averaging 50 point in their last four games.”
The Broncos posted a 2-2 record against nonconference opponents this season. They are led by the nation’s leading receiver Jordan White, who leads the FBS in total receiving yards (1,646), receiving yards per game (137.17), total receptions (127) and receptions per game (10.58). Quarterback Alex Carder surpassed his yardage total from last season (3,434) and has been prolific with TD passes (29). Defensive tackle Drew Nowak was the 2011 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, ranking fifth in the FBS in tackles per loss per game (1.67) and fourth in total TFLs (20.0).
“On behalf of Western Michigan University, our Football team and 114,500 alumni living in Michigan (with 33,000 of those calling metro Detroit home), we are honored to accept the invitation to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl,” commented WMU athletic director Kathy Beauregard. “We’re proud to represent the Mid-American Conference against a prominent Big Ten opponent in Purdue, in front of a national audience on December 27. It is definitely a great day to be a Bronco!”
The Boilermakers posted a 2-2 record against nonconference foes in 2011. Purdue boasts the nation’s best kickoff return team (27.5 yard average) and one of the most dynamic freshmen in Raheem Mostert, who leads the Big Ten with a 31.0-yard average. The quarterback duo of Miami-transfer Robert Marve and Caleb TerBush has combined to complete 60 percent of their passes (2,361 yards, 15 touchdowns). Defensive tackle Kawann Short, Jr. tied for third in Big Ten and 13th nationally in tackles for loss (17) and tied for fourth in the conference in sacks (6.5). Kicker Carson Wiggs ranks second in the Big Ten in field goals (16-21) and has made his last nine.
"Our goal was to play one more game this year, and we will use this game against Western Michigan as a springboard into the 2012 season,” Purdue athletics director Morgan Burke said. “We’re excited to return to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. There are nearly 200,000 Purdue alumni within a four-hour drive of Detroit, and this game will provide a great opportunity for them to get together, root on the Boilermakers and share some holiday cheer. We had a great time and an exciting game in 2007, and look forward to another one this year.”
Purdue’s appearance will be the third by a Big Ten Conference team in the Detroit bowl and Purdue’s second. Northwestern, with San Diego Charger defensive lineman Luis Castillo and Pittsburgh Steeler offensive tackle Trai Essex, competed against 25th ranked Bowling Green in 2003. Purdue, led by New York Jets Tight End Dustin Keller and Detroit Lions Linebacker Cliff Avril, played against Central Michigan in the bowl in 2007.