April 19, 2007

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller announced today that the Boilermakers' annual Black & Gold Game to culminate spring practice will be a controlled scrimmage, featuring an elaborate scoring system.

The festivities still will get under way at 11 a.m. at Ross-Ade Stadium and are expected to last approximately two hours. Gates open at 10 a.m.

"I think we will get good work out of it," Tiller said, "maybe better than a game because this format allows us to keep our No. 1 units together, which you'd never get to do in a game. So there's some benefit to it.

"Having said that, we would have liked to play a game because that's what people have come to expect from us, and it's a fun way to end the spring. But we just don't have enough able bodies at some positions, particularly the secondary."

Following is the scrimmage format:

~ Four quarters / 15 minutes each (timing could be altered as play progresses)
~ Ball will be put in play at the offense's 35-yard line in the first quarter, offense's 40-yard line in the second quarter, midfield in the third quarter and offense's 25-yard line in the fourth quarter
~ 10-play drives on each possession - if the offense moves ball inside the defense's 25-yard line the possession will be allowed to continue to its conclusion
~ Penalties will be assessed, and a play will not count if penalty is accepted - play will count if penalty is declined
~ If score is tied after four quarters, there will be a playoff at the goal line

As for the elaborate scoring system:

Offense
6 points for a touchdown
3 points for a field goal
2 points for a two-point conversion
1 point for a PAT
1 point for each first down
1 point for each play over 20 yards

Defense
12 points for an interception returned for a touchdown
5 points for a fumble recovery
5 points for an interception
3 points for blocking a field goal
3 points for stopping a fourth-down play behind the 50-yard line
2 points for stopping a fourth-down play inside the 50-yard line
2 points for forcing a three-and-out on the first possession of a drive
2 points for a sack
2 points for stopping a two-point conversion
1 point for forcing a punt
1 point for a tackle for loss
1 point for blocking a PAT

A "team" will be awarded three points if the other "team" argues with an official.

For a complete rundown of Saturday's festivities, click here.

Printer-friendly format	Email this article

Purdue Boilermakers