Oct. 25, 2004

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The one-two combination of linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu and strong safety Bernard Pollard nearly provided the knockout punch of Michigan Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium.

Though it was a field goal that ultimately resulted in the difference in the outcome, Pollard was in line to be the hero for the Boilermakers with a field goal block of Garrett Rivas' 32-yard field goal attempt with 10:08 left in the fourth quarter.

Iwuchukwu deflected Rivas' 30-yard attempt in the second quarter that was successful and gave the Wolverines a 10-7 lead.

Both Pollard and Iwuchukwu have been a thorn in the side of the Boilermakers' kicking opponents, each tallying three blocked kicks for 2004.

"We knew we could get in there," said Pollard, who also registered a Purdue 2004 season high and career best 15 tackles, including 12 solo stops. "We caught the overload. As soon as the ball was snapped, I couldn't do anything but leap. When I saw the ball I put my arms in the air and got the block."

It appeared to be the game-saver.

Iwuchukwu and Pollard have leaping abilities that challenge opposing kickers. Iwuchukwu noticed Rivas did adjust his contact on the game-winner with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter.

"He may have seen me and aimed differently," Iwuchukwu said. "He snuck that one in. He hit more right and I was just out of the line of flight."

Iwuchukwu, who blocked a 41-yard field goal attempt by Mike Nugent at Ohio State in 2003 as time expired to send the game into overtime, now has had a hand in at least five career blocked field goal attempts.

He earlier this season blocked a field goal at Illinois. He also disrupted field goal attempts against Notre Dame in 2002 and against Washington in 2002 Sun Bowl.

"He's the best I've been around," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said after the Michigan game. "He has a great knack of timing his jump and positioning himself."

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