Saturday’s Big Ten meeting between the Purdue Boilermakers and Northwestern Wildcats took place in a very notable setting, as Wrigley Field in Chicago served as the site of the Wildcat Classic. Footing on Wrigley Field, however, proved to be an issue that led to a bizarre development to begin the second half.
On the second half kickoff, Purdue kicker Mitchell Fineran lost his footing and fell down, resulting in the kickoff turning into an inadvertent onside kick at midfield. A wild scramble ensued, and it looked as though Northwestern may have gotten a gift and great field position to begin the half.
But it wasn’t to be. Remarkably, Purdue was able to recover the kickoff, giving them possession of the football and allowing them to begin a drive that ended in a touchdown to put them up 19-7.
Here’s another look at the slip.
That sort of break is precisely what Purdue could use to reverse their recent fortunes against Northwestern. Northwestern has won six of the past seven meetings against Purdue, including their meeting last season.
For Northwestern, Saturday marked only the second time that they have played a game at Wrigley Field. Their last game at the ballpark came in 2010, when they lost 48-27 to Illinois.
