Thank You, Boilermaker Nation - Purdue Boilermakers

Jan. 9, 2012

Purdue Wins Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, 37-32

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Thank you, Boilermaker Nation.

Purdue fans responded to the football team's selection to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in grand fashion. Some 5,134 tickets were distributed through the Athletic Ticket Office - more than the allotment of 5,000 initially issued by the bowl. That total represented a 9 percent increase over the total of 4,690 tickets distributed for the 2007 Motor City Bowl.

Moreover, Purdue fans purchased and donated 297 tickets to military members and their families and underprivileged children vs. 136 in 2007 and contributed $2,880 to help defray the costs of sending the "All-American" Marching Band and Reamer Club to the bowl game vs. $1,800 four years ago.

In a bowl season that saw overall attendance decrease from a year ago, the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl saw a significant increase of 13,746 fans from 2010 (46,177 vs. 32,431).

The Boilermakers responded to the crowd with an inspired 37-32 victory over Western Michigan to finish with their first winning season since 2007 and laying the foundation for an exciting 2012 season.

Purdue recorded seven takeaways in the game (four interceptions, three fumbles), recovered a pair of onside kicks and rushed for 265 yards in the victory over the Broncos. Running back Akeem Shavers was named the game's Most Valuable Player after rushing for 149 yards on 22 carries.

The 2012 season opener is just 235 days away - Sept. 1 vs. Eastern Kentucky at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Boiler Up! Hammer Down! Hail Purdue!