Purdue running back Akeem Shavers reaches the end zone Saturday against Eastern Kentucky University. (Photos by Mike Deak)WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue’s football team wasted very little time jumping all over Eastern Kentucky at Ross-Ade Stadium in the season opener, scoring on a four-yard pass from Robert Marve to Gary Bush at the 8:43 mark of the first quarter in an eventual 48-6 win for the Boilermakers. The matchup was the first-ever football game between the two schools.
Marve would set a career-high in passing with 295 and tossed three touchdowns. The Boilers would run up 547 yards of total offense and get receiving touchdowns from Antavian Edison, Gabe Holmes and Justin Sinz as well as rushing scores by Kurt Freytag and Akeem Shavers.
Purdue also picked up its second touchdown of the game when Landon Feichter picked off a Jared McClain pass and ran it back 34 yards unopposed to put Purdue up 13-0.
Eastern Kentucky had cut the lead to 20-6 when Matt Denham scored on a 30-yard run just minutes into the second quarter. Kawann Short, however, blocked the extra point to go along with a blocked field goal Short would add later in the quarter.
The Boiler defense as a whole held the Colonels to 190 yards of total offense, just 52 of those coming in the second half.
Purdue will travel to South Bend next Saturday to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish were big winners on Saturday, rolling up Navy, 50-10, in a game played in Dublin, Ireland.
Purdue running back Akeem Shavers reaches the end zone Saturday against Eastern Kentucky University. (Photos by Mike Deak)
Purdue celebrates the touchdown of Kurt Freytag against Eastern Kentucky.
Purdue linebacker Sean Robinson slows down Eastern Kentucky quarterback Jared McClain.
Purdue receiver Gary Bush scores the first touchdown of the game between Eastern Kentucky defenders Justin Bell (11) and Brooklyn Fox.
Purdue safety Landon Feichter reaches the endzone after a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown against Eastern Kentucky.
Eastern Kentucky receiver Cameron Bailey hauls in a pass over the defense of Purdue cornerback Frankie Williams.
Purdue quarterback Robert Marve rushes upfield against Brooklyn Fox and Eastern Kentucky.
Purdue receiver Antavian Edison moves down the field against Eastern Kentucky.
Purdue defenders Ricardo Allen (21) and Landon Feichter defend a pass to Eastern Kentucky receiver Tyrone Goard.
Eastern Kentucky receiver Cameron Bailey rises over Purdue corner Ricardo Allen for a grab.
Purdue receiver Gary Bush looks for running room against Ichiro Vance (43) and the Eastern Kentucky defense.
Purdue running back Kurt Freytag rumbles into the endzone against Eastern Kentucky.
Purdue quarterback Robert Marve readies the offense against Eastern Kentucky.
Members of the Purdue drum corps do pushups after Purdue scored its first touchdown against Eastern Kentucky.
Purdue running back Akeem Hunt heads to the Eastern Kentucky goal line.