November 21, 1998

Stats

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Drew Brees shoved aside three more Big Ten records on Saturday and became the most prolific passer in one season in conference history.

The Purdue sophomore passed for 237 yards and four touchdowns as the Boilermakers finished the regular season with a 52-7 victory over Indiana.

Brees already had set a Big Ten season record for touchdown passes, and he raised that mark to 36 with two to Tim Stratton and one apiece to Isaac Jones and Gabe Cox - all in the first half. For the game, he was 20-for-33, setting Big Ten season records for completions (336), attempts (516) and yardage (3,753).

The former records were 3,738 yards by Chuck Hartlieb of Iowa in 1988, 322 completions by Illinois' Jack Trudeau in 1985, and 505 attempts by Illinois' Tony Eason in 1982.

Brees' first attempt was intercepted by Indiana's Jabar Robinson, setting up the Hoosiers only touchdown - on a 4-yard run by quarterback Antwaan Randle El midway through the first quarter. The Boilermakers (8-4, 6-2 Big Ten) scored on TD passes by Brees on each of their next four possessions.

The Purdue defense, meanwhile, allowed Indiana (4-7, 2-6) only 12 yards between Randle El's touchdown and halftime, when the Boilermakers took a 28-7 lead.

The Boilermakers moved 75 yards on the first series after the Indiana touchdown, and an 18-yard reception by Cox of a pass that was deflected put Purdue at the Indiana 7. Brees hit Cox for 3 more yards and then Stratton for 4 yards for the tying touchdown late in the opening period.

The next three Purdue touchdowns took only seven, three and two plays, with scoring passes of 12 yards to Cox 11 to Stratton and 37 to Jones in the second quarter.

The Boilermakers threatened again late in the period, moving to the Indiana 22 with Brees' 11th straight completion. But two incomplete passes, a short run and a penalty for illegal use of the hands, set the Boilermakers back to the 35 for their first punt of the game.

Indiana's only first down of the second quarter came on an offside penalty, and Purdue outgained the Hoosiers 203 yards to seven yards in that period. The Boilermakers added a 37-yard field goal by Travis Dorsch in the third period, and Brees broke the Big Ten season passing record with a 28-yard completion to Cox with 11 minutes to go in the final period.

David Edgerton replaced Brees on the next series and passed for two touchdowns to Vinny Sutherland. Purdue also scored on a 1-yard run by Eric Haddad, two plays after a 72-yard interception return by Henry Bell to the Indiana 3.

By STEVE HERMAN
AP Sports Writer