$Purdue Football\'s Top 10 Plays of 2014$

Purdue Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

Purdue Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Purdue Boilermakers Football — Purdue had yet another dismal season in 2014. The Boilermakers mustered a 3-3 start, but lost their last six games, including a 23-16 loss to archival Indiana. Despite this, Darrell Hazell’s squad turned in some noteworthy performances, and here they are.

10. Frankie Williams' Interception vs. Western Michigan

Frankie Williams Purdue Boilermakers

10. Frankie Williams' Interception vs. Western Michigan

Frankie Williams Purdue Boilermakers — Purdue was in a dogfight with MAC opponent Western Michigan in Week 1. Trailing 14-13 midway through the second quarter, defensive back Frankie Williams intercepted Bronco quarterback Zach Terrell and returned it 56 yards. Purdue scored three plays later to take a 20-14 lead.

9. Paul Griggs' 53-Yard Field Goal vs. Wisconsin

Paul Griggs Purdue Boilermakers

9. Paul Griggs' 53-Yard Field Goal vs. Wisconsin

Paul Griggs Purdue Boilermakers — The Boilermakers took an early lead against the Badgers, but they trailed 7-3 going into the second quarter. Kicker Paul Griggs came through with a huge 53-yard kick to bring Purdue within one point of Wisconsin. It didn’t get any closer in the 34-16 loss.

8. Akeem Hunt's Touchdown Run vs. Western Michigan

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers

8. Akeem Hunt's Touchdown Run vs. Western Michigan

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers — Every time Purdue scored, Western Michigan would answer. Late in the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers were clinging to a 37-34 lead. On second-and-five from the Bronco 38, running back Akeem Hunt broke free around right end and took it the distance to widen the lead. Purdue sent Western Michigan home with a 43-34 loss.

7. Frankie WIlliams' Pick-Six vs Iowa

Frankie Williams Purdue Boilermakers

7. Frankie WIlliams' Pick-Six vs Iowa

Frankie Williams Purdue Boilermakers — The Boilermakers and Hawkeyes were in a scoreless stalemate late in the first quarter in West Lafayette. But with a little over four minutes left in the quarter, Williams intercepted Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard and returned it 39 yards for six. This would be Purdue’s only touchdown of the day in the 24-10 loss.

6. Danny Anthrop's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Minnesota

Danny Anthrop Purdue Boilermakers

6. Danny Anthrop's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Minnesota

Danny Anthrop Purdue Boilermakers — Just 20 seconds into the game, Minnesota took a 7-0 lead on a two-yard David Cobb touchdown run. But on Purdue’s ensuing possession, wide receiver Danny Anthrop hauled in a 55-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Appleby to knot the score at seven. A shootout would follow, but like most games, Purdue came out on the wrong side. The Gophers won 39-38 on a Ryan Santoso field goal.

5. Raheem Mostert's Touchdown Run vs. Illinois

Raheem Mostert Purdue Boilermakers

5. Raheem Mostert's Touchdown Run vs. Illinois

Raheem Mostert Purdue Boilermakers — Illinois took an early lead, but it didn’t last long. Purdue put together a scoring drive of their own, capped off by a 44-yard touchdown run by running back Raheem Mostert. This set the tone for the Purdue offense the rest of the game.

4. Akeem Hunt's Long Touchdown Run vs. Michigan State

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers

4. Akeem Hunt's Long Touchdown Run vs. Michigan State

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers — The Spartans led 38-17 going into the fourth quarter, but Purdue didn’t go away. With under nine minutes to play, Appleby handed to Hunt off left tackle. Hunt got to the second level quickly and outran Michigan State’s vaunted defense 52 yards to give Purdue some life. The Boilermakers got to within seven, but the Spartans pulled away late to win 45-31.

3. Akeem Hunt's Long Touchdown Run vs Illinois

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers

3. Akeem Hunt's Long Touchdown Run vs Illinois

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers — After Mostert’s run, Purdue fell behind again and trailed 14-7 going into the second quarter. But with nine minutes till halftime, the Boilermakers put together a three-play, 77-yard drive finished off by a 54-yard touchdown run by Hunt. This score served as the primary momentum shift in the game.

2. Danny Anthrop's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Illinois

Danny Anthrop Purdue Boilermakers

2. Danny Anthrop's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Illinois

Danny Anthrop Purdue Boilermakers — Following Hunt’s touchdown run, Griggs added a field goal to give the Boilermakers a 17-14 lead at the half. Midway through the third quarter, Purdue forced a second three-and-out from Illinois and got the ball at their own 19. One play later, Appleby rolled to his right and hit Anthrop on a seven-yard out. Anthrop broke a few Illini tackles and was off to the races to give the Boilermakers a 24-14 lead. Purdue left Champaign with a 38-27 win.

1. Akeem Hunt's Long Touchdown Run vs. Indiana

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers

1. Akeem Hunt's Long Touchdown Run vs. Indiana

Akeem Hunt Purdue Boilermakers — Purdue took a meager 6-0 lead into halftime against in-state rival Indiana. In the third quarter, Indiana got on the board with a Griffin Oakes field goal to cut the lead in half. Purdue returned the ensuing kickoff to the 18-yard line. On the very next play, Hunt took care of business with an 82-yard touchdown run. The 13-3 lead would not last, however, as Indiana scored with less than 30 seconds left to win 23-16.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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