1989 Purdue Boilermakers football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1989 Purdue Boilermakers football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 3–8 2–6 Fred Akers 3rd Bob Stanley 3rd Phil Bennett 3rd Calvin Williams Dennis Dotson Bill Hitchcock Calvin Williams Ross–Ade Stadium The 1989 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1989 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by third-year head coach Fred Akers, the Boilermakers compiled an overall record of 3–8 with a mark of 2–6 in conference play, placing eighth in the Big Ten. It was Purdue's fifth straight losing season. The team played home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Schedule 1989 AP y September 9 w y Miami (OH) Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 27–10 38,840 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-waits-worth-it-a/174115411/ Wisconsin State Journal Waits worth it as Purdue wins September 10, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com September 16 l y y Washington 15 Husky Stadium Seattle, WA 9–38 66,392 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-herald-crunch-time-huskies-fl/174079039/ The Daily Herald Crunch time: Huskies flatten Boilermakers 38–9 September 17, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com September 30 l y Notre Dame 1 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry ABC 7–40 67,861 https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-irish-leave-boilermak/173904729/ Detroit Free Press Irish leave Boilermakers stuck on the pad, 40–7 October 1, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com October 7 l y Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN 15–35 36,621 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star-gophers-splatter-p/174184671/ The Indianapolis Star Gophers splatter pitiful Boilermakers October 8, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com October 14 l Illinois 16 Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN rivalry 2–14 41,101 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-positive-akers-please/174182019/ The Kokomo Tribune Positive Akers pleased with his Boilermakers October 15, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com October 21 l y Ohio State Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH 3–21 89,091 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-marion-star-buckeyes-bust-boilermake/174183961/ The Marion Star Buckeyes bust Boilermakers 21–3 October 22, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com October 28 l y Michigan State Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 21–28 41,402 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republic-boiler-comeback-too-late/174183077/ The Republic Boiler comeback too late October 29, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com November 4 l y Michigan 4 Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI 27–42 105,128 https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-u-m-rips-purdue-4/174181081/ Lansing State Journal U-M rips Purdue, 42–27 November 5, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com November 11 w Northwestern Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 46–15 31,470 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-32-point-first-pe/174194595/ The South Bend Tribune 32-point first period launches Purdue November 12, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com November 18 l Iowa Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN 0–24 31,863 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-19891119dadktsport/19255927/ The Kokomo Tribune Sacks help Hawkeyes smoke Boilers November 19, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com November 25 w y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN Old Oaken Bucket 15–14 47,502 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-press-boilers-bag-the-bucket/174193695/ The Muncie Star Boilers bag the Bucket November 26, 1989 June 9, 2025 Newspapers.com 1989 Purdue Football Schedule 2022 Purdue Football Record Book https://purduesports.com/documents/2022/8/23/2022_Purdue_Record_Book.pdf Purdue University Athletics 91 February 3, 2023 February 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230212093414/https://purduesports.com/documents/2022/8/23/2022_Purdue_Record_Book.pdf dead Preseason Brian Fox transferred after spring practice to Florida, citing a desire to be closer to home and head coach Fred Akers' adjustment of the offensive scheme. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1989-06-14-8901300395-story.html QB Fox Leaving Purdue for Florida June 14, 1989 South Florida Sun Sentinel Orlando Sentinel November 10, 2022 Game summaries Miami (OH) October 2022 At Washington October 2022 Notre Dame Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed #1 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3–0) at Purdue Boilermakers (1–1) September 30 12:00 p.m. EDT Notre Dame 14 20 0 6 Purdue 0 0 0 7 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 67,861 ABC Recap/Box Score First quarter ND – Anthony Johnson 6-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 6:38. Notre Dame 7–0. Drive: 55 yards. ND – Tony Rice 4-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 2:04. Notre Dame 14–0. Drive: 57 yards. Second quarter ND – Jeff Alm 16-yard interception return (Craig Hentrich kick), 14:44. Notre Dame 21–0. ND – Anthony Johnson 1-yard run (Craig Hentrich kick), 6:35. Notre Dame 28–0. ND – Ricky Watters 1-yard run (kick failed), 0:14. Notre Dame 34–0. Third quarter No scoring Fourth quarter ND – Craig Hentrich 19-yard field goal, 9:47. Notre Dame 37–0. ND – Craig Hentrich 22-yard field goal, 6:18. Notre Dame 40–0. PUR – Rodney Dennis 3-yard pass from Steve Letnich (Larry Sullivan kick), 0:33. Notre Dame 40–7. Top passers ND – Tony Rice – 12/15, 270 yards PUR – Steve Letnich – 11/28, 89 yards, INT Top rushers ND – Tony Rice – 12 rushes, 67 yards, TD PUR – Steve Letnich – 13 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers ND – Derek Brown – 4 receptions, 101 yards PUR – Earl Coleman – 2 receptions, 32 yards At Minnesota Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (1–2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (2–1) October 7, 1989 Purdue 0 3 0 12 Minnesota 7 7 14 7 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota 36,621 Indoors (dome) https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/10/07/Minnesota-35-Purdue-15/5083623736000/ Minnesota 35, Purdue 15 October 7, 1989 UPI Archives December 23, 2022 Larry Sullivan tied a school record with 51-yard field goal Darren Trieb was suspended for the game for violation of team ruleshttps://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891011-01.1.16&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 Loss to Minnesota sidelines key PU starters Matt Youmans October 11, 1989 The Purdue Exponent Archives December 23, 2022 left Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Minnesota Golden Gophers Minnesota Jeff Lesniewicz 13/19, 191 Yds, TD, INT Scott Schaffner 9/19, 144 Yds, 2 TD Marcus Evans 102 Yds, TD PUR MINN collapsed 1 Minnesota RushTD Darrell Thompson 7 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 2 Purdue FG 51 Larry Sullivan 3 7 2 4:16 Minnesota 84 RushTD Marcus Evans 2 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 14 3 Minnesota 2 RecTD James King Scott Schaffner 34 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 21 3 Minnesota RecTD Shane Strain Scott Schaffner 32 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 28 4 Minnesota RushTD Marquel Fleetwood 3 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 3 35 4 5:17 Purdue Other Jerome Sparkman 20-yard touchdown run, 2-point conversion failed 9 35 4 0:00 Purdue Other Rod Dennis 37-yard touchdown reception from Jeff Lesniewicz, 2-point conversion failed 15 35 15 35 Illinois Purdue Cannon Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed #16 Illinois Fighting Illini (3–1) at Purdue Boilermakers (1–3) October 14, 1989 Illinois 7 0 0 7 Purdue 0 0 0 2 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 41,101 Jeff Lesniewicz made his first career start for Purduehttps://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/10/14/Jeff-George-threw-a-3-yard-touchdown-pass-to-Frank/3427624340800/ Illinois 14, Purdue 2 Slater Jim October 14, 1989 UPI Archives December 23, 2022 https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891016-01.1.24&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 Purdue Defense Shines in Loss Tatlock David October 16, 1989 The Purdue Exponent Archives December 23, 2022 https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891016-01.1.24&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 Boiler Defense Goes to Waste as Illinois Wins Youmans Matt October 16, 1989 The Purdue Exponent Archives December 23, 2022 We feel real good about ourselves. All we did was read in the paper all week was that we were going to lose by 32 points, and Jeff George was going to come in and do his thing. Darrin Trieb right left Illinois Fighting Illini Illinois Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Jeff George 24/42, 254 Yds, TD Howard Griffith 24 Rush, 94 Yds, TD Jeff Lesniewicz 9/22, 82 Yds ILL PUR collapsed 1 9:49 Illinois 16 80 RecTD Frank Hartley Jeff George 3 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 0 4 12:13 Purdue SafetyOther Safety, Craig Davisson blocked punt by Brian Menkhausen out of end zone 7 2 4 0:36 Illinois 80 RushTD Howard Griffith 1 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 2 14 2 At Ohio State Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (1–4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (3–2) October 21 1:30 p.m. Purdue 0 0 3 0 Ohio St 14 0 7 0 Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio 89,091 Overcast, 44 F C Jim Kemerling Box Score First quarter OSU – Greg Frey 4-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 11:40. Ohio St 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 0:53. OSU – Carlos Snow 1-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 3:59. Ohio St 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 4:43. Second quarter No scoring Third quarter OSU – Carlos Snow 3-yard run (Pat O'Morrow kick), 9:50. Ohio St 21–0. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 0:59. PUR – Larry Sullivan 25-yard field goal, 5:35. Ohio St 21–3. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 4:15. Fourth quarter No scoring Top passers PUR – Eric Hunter – 6/16, 147 yards OSU – Greg Frey – 3/9, 47 yards Top rushers PUR – Jerome Sparkman – 18 rushes, 85 yards OSU – Carlos Snow – 18 rushes, 149 yards, 2 TD Top receivers PUR – Jerome Sparkman – 6 receptions, 86 yards OSU – Jeff Graham – 2 receptions, 37 yards Michigan State Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed Michigan State Spartans (2–4) at Purdue Boilermakers (1–5) October 28, 1989 Michigan St 0 28 Purdue 0 21 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 41,402 https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891030-01.1.24&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 Rally Leaves Spartans Grateful Bedics Mark October 30, 1989 The Purdue Exponent Archives December 23, 2022 Homecoming Jeff Lesniewicz knocked out of game with concussion https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891030-01.1.24&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 Rally Leaves Spartans Grateful Bedics Mark October 30, 1989 The Purdue Exponent Archives December 23, 2022 left Michigan State Spartans Michigan St Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Courtney Hawkins 7 Rec, 193 Yds, TD Eric Hunter 18/26, 253 Yds, 3 TD, INT MSU PUR collapsed 3 Michigan St RecTD Courtney Hawkins Dan Enos 80 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 0 4 Purdue RecTD Calvin Williams Eric Hunter good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 7 4 Purdue 5 69 RecTD Rod Dennis Eric Hunter 20 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 14 4 Purdue 2 41 RecTD Abe Hoskins Eric Hunter 34 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 28 21 28 21 At Michigan Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (1–6) at #4 Michigan Wolverines (6–1) November 4, 1989 1:00 p.m. Purdue 0 7 0 20 Michigan 7 21 7 7 Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan 105, 126 Overcast, 44 F C Box Score Gainesville Sun. 1989 Nov 5. right Game highlights left Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Michigan Wolverines Michigan Eric Hunter 27/42, 344 Yds, 4 TD, 2 INT Jerome Sparkman 11 Rush, 50 Yds Calvin Williams 13 Rec, 156 Yds, 3 TD Michael Taylor 8/13, 124 Yds, TD Tony Boles 13 Rush, 80 Yds, 2 TD Chris Calloway 3 Rec, 68 Yds, TD PU UM collapsed 1 9:16 Michigan 4 77 1:23 RushTD Tony Boles 39 good J.D. Carlson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 7 2 12:50 Michigan 3 9 1:17 RecTD Desmond Howard Michael Taylor 8 good J.D. Carlson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 14 2 5:46 Purdue 8 77 3:25 RecTD Calvin Williams Eric Hunter 44 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 14 2 2:31 Michigan 8 80 3:15 RushTD Tony Boles 1 good J.D. Carlson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 21 2 0:09 Michigan 5 79 0:55 RecTD Chris Calloway Elvis Grbac 29 good J.D. Carlson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 28 3 1:10 Michigan 3 16 0:57 RushTD Leroy Hoard 2 good J.D. Carlson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 35 4 13:03 Purdue 1 11 0:06 RecTD Robert Oglesby Eric Hunter 11 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 35 4 12:52 Michigan KickTD Tony Boles 85 good J.D. Carlson run/pass good/failed/incomplete 14 42 4 6:48 Purdue 3 34 1:19 RecTD Calvin Williams Eric Hunter 3 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 21 42 4 2:33 Purdue 4 61 1:14 RecTD Calvin Williams Eric Hunter 15 no good (wide right) Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 27 42 27 42 Northwestern Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed Northwestern Wildcats (0–8) at Purdue Boilermakers (1–7) November 11, 1989 Northwestern 0 7 8 0 Purdue 32 0 0 14 Ross–Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana 31,470 https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891113-01.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 Purdue Collects First Big Ten Win, 46-15 Tatlock David November 13, 1989 Purdue University Archives & Special Editions The Purdue Exponent December 22, 2022 Purdue snapped a streak of 10 straight games without a first quarter point.https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/11/Ricky-Smith-returned-a-blocked-punt-35-yards-for/1174626763600/ Purdue 46, Northwestern 15 Cook Bob November 11, 1989 UPI Archives December 22, 2022 left Northwestern Wildcats Northwestern Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Tim O'Brien 15/40, 213 Yds, 2 TD Bob Christian 21 Rush, 59 Yds Eric Hunter 11/24, 263 Yds, 3 TD Eric Hunter 9 Rush, 55 Yds Rod Dennis 4 Rec, 146 Yds, 3 TD NW PUR collapsed 1 13:25 Purdue Other Blocked punt returned 35 yards for touchdown by Rick Smith, Larry Sullivan kick good 0 7 1 Purdue 2:02 FG 37 Larry Sullivan 0 10 1 Purdue RecTD Rod Dennis Eric Hunter 39 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 17 1 Purdue 2 RushTD Larry Coleman 6 run good 0 25 1 Purdue 1:02 RecTD Rod Dennis Eric Hunter 46 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 0 32 2 7:38 Northwestern RecTD Richard Buchanan Tim O'Brien 13 good run/pass good/failed/incomplete 7 32 3 6:32 Northwestern RecTD Greg Fischer Tim O'Brien 6 pass good 15 32 4 11:23 Purdue RecTD Calvin Williams Eric Hunter 44 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 15 39 4 1:51 Purdue RecTD Rod Dennis Jeff Lesniewicz 57 good Larry Sullivan run/pass good/failed/incomplete 15 46 15 46 Iowa October 2022 At Indiana Old Oaken Bucket Purdue Boilermakers 2; text-align:center collapsed Purdue Boilermakers (2–8) at Indiana Hoosiers (5–5) November 25, 1989 Purdue 3 12 Indiana 11 3 Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana 51,502 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/25/Indianas-quest-for-a-fourth-consecutive-bowl-appearance-ended/4114627973200/ Purdue 15, Indiana 14 Slater Jim November 25, 1989 UPI Archives December 25, 2022 Larry Sullivan kicked a 32-yard field goal with 2:51 left and Scott Bonnell missed a 26-yard field goal for Indiana with 1:29 remaining. https://purdue.rivals.com/news/upset-of-iu-in-1989-bucket-game-shows-anything-is-possible Upset of IU in 1989 Bucket game shows anything is possible December 8, 2020 Rivals.com October 22, 2022 Fred Akers was carried off the field by his players.https://historicalnewspapers.lib.purdue.edu/?a=d&d=PE19891127-01&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN--------1 PU Plays 'Spoilermaker' in 15-14 Win Over IU Youmans Matt November 27, 1989 The Purdue Exponent Archives December 25, 2022 left Purdue Boilermakers Purdue Indiana Hoosiers Indiana Eric Hunter 15/24, 184 Yds, TD Tony Vinson 9 Rush, 28 Yds Rod Dennis 4 Rec, 81 Yds Dave Schnell 11/21, 99 Yds Anthony Thompson 28 Rush, 97 Yds Anthony Thompson 4 Rec, 28 Yds PUR IU collapsed 2 Indiana RushTD Dave Schnell 3 no good Scott Bonnell run/pass good/failed/incomplete Indiana FG 26 Scott Bonnell Indiana SafetyOther Safety, Jeff Zgonina snapped ball out of end zone Purdue FG 24 Larry Sullivan 3 1:11 Indiana FG 27 Scott Bonnell 3 14 4 14:42 Purdue 8 79 RecTD Calvin Williams Eric Hunter 20 pass failed 9 14 4 11:23 Purdue 3 FG 29 Larry Sullivan 12 14 4 2:51 Purdue FG 32 Larry Sullivan 15 14 15 14 Personnel 1989 Purdue Boilermakers y 38 soph Mike Doctor FB Bruce Brinerman OL Jason Cegielski OL 34 Fr Earl Coleman FB Scott Conover OL y Don Delvy RB Fr Rodney Dennis WR Bob Dressel OL Adoaf Harris RB Bill Hitchcock OL y Fr Abe Hoskins WR 9 Fr Eric Hunter QB Kipp Koonce WR RFr Jeff Lesniewicz QB 14 Steve Letnich QB Danny Lounsbury WR Dwayne O'Connor TE Robert Oglesby WR Andy Ozlowski TE Derick Schmidt OL Jerome Sparkman RB Larry Taylor OL Kelly Turner TE Fr Tony Vinson RB y Jim Wallace WR Sr Calvin Williams WR y Jeff Wormsley OL Eric Beatty LB Kris Burns DL Dennis Dotson OL Jr Steve Jackson CB y Steve Jackson (defensive back) Terry Johnson DB Sr Derrick Kelson CB Frank Kmet DL y Ken Kushner DL Donzel Leggett DL Nat Martin DB Peyton Minter DL Jarrett Scales S So Jim Schwantz OLB y Jr Darren Trieb ILB Fr Sean Washington DB Jeff Zgonina DL y Sr Shawn McCarthy P QB y Larry Sullivan K Fred Akers Bill Kollar (DL/ST) Dan Lounsbury (RB/WR) Bill Michael (TE/OT) Awards Eric Hunter, Big Ten Freshman of the YearDaily Press. 1990 Oct 24. Retrieved 2014-Oct-20. References Purdue Category:Purdue Boilermakers football seasons Purdue Boilermakers football