21 seniors end season with loss to Purdue

As IU senior linebacker Matt Mayberry sat in the locker room after his team’s 38-21 loss to Purdue, he struggled to take off his jersey for the final time.

“Just knowing that this is going to be last time I am ever going to play here at Memorial Stadium, its very tough,” Mayberry said. “The whole game, I tried to give it my best and leave it all on the field.”

For 21 seniors on Saturday, their time under the lights against Purdue was not only the culmination of a 4-8 season. It was also the end of their collegiate careers.

And unfortunately for the Hoosiers, it had to come against the rival Boilermakers.

“Purdue just being our rival, playing for the Old Oaken Bucket, it was a special moment,” Mayberry said. “Disappointing it didn’t go our way.”

In a game with nothing more than pride on the line, Purdue appeared to want it more.

Boilermaker quarterback Joey Elliot found three different receivers for touchdowns in the first half as Purdue went into the visiting locker room leading 21-7.

Running back Al-Terek McBurse immediately added to his team’s total to start the second half when he took a kick return 87 yards into the end zone.

“It was the worst thing that you could have happen to you,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “You dig your way back into it and it’s 21-7 at half and you come out and all of sudden you’re down three scores. But we kept battling.”

Despite the large deficit, IU didn’t back down as it was strengthened by the senior class.

Junior quarterback Ben Chappell found junior wide receiver Mitchell Evans in the end zone from 12 yards out to bring the Hoosiers within 14 points.

IU responded again after a field goal by Purdue’s Carson Wiggs.

Chappell connected with sophomore wide receiver Damarlo Belcher for a 28-yard touchdown to make the score 31-21 with 8:04 remaining in the game.

But Purdue’s next drive left little time on the clock, leaving IU no chance for a last-minute comeback.

Although IU did not earn the victory, senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said he was pleased his team did not give up early.

“We could have gone so many different directions being the last game,” Kirlew said. “We went into the locker room and got our minds together and fought hard. I’m proud of the way the guys finished and I hope they take the progress from this season.”

For Evans, what hurt most was sending the senior players out with another loss.

“I think everyone is just thinking about the seniors,” Evans said. “The things they have done in the offseason for this team. They changed where the program is going.”

Even with a finish at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, there was noticeable improvement from years past.

The Hoosiers were predicted to have a last-place finish in the conference, but battled tough in close losses to Michigan, Northwestern, Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State. Multiple games this season came down to a final play or a particular call deciding the outcome.

This development can be traced to the hard work of 21 seniors, senior offensive lineman Rodger Saffold said.

“We basically have been trying to put this team back on the right path after really being in shambles last year,” he said. “We wanted to make sure everyone knew how relentless and tough we were, and how we were willing to fight to the very end.”