For Purdue football coach Ryan Walters, the goal was a simple one — come out of the spring practices and spring game unscathed.
Consider it mission accomplished for the Boilermakers and second year coach, following Purdue football’s spring game Saturday. Team Hammer Down (first team defense and second string offense) defeated Team Boiler Up (first string offense and second string defense), 17-13 at Ross-Ade Stadium.
“I thought it was good. I thought the format allowed for a controlled environment where we kept guys healthy but still got good work, got to evaluate and see things we needed to see in terms of in game situations,” Walters said.
Team Boiler Up got things going early as Purdue football starting quarterback Hudson Card drilled Jaron Tibbs for a 13 yard pitch and catch that would set up a 58 yard strike from Card to Andrew Sowinski moments later, putting Team Boiler Up 7-0.
Card’s arms and legs would set up the next scoring play for Team Boiler Up, as kicker Ben Freehill hit a 45 yard field goal to put Team Boiler Up ahead 10-0.
Following a series of punts, Card again set up Freehill with a series of passes to Max Klare and Tibbs. Freehill converted a 30-yard field goal to put Boiler Up ahead 13-0. On the day, Card threw for 160 yards on the day.
Team Hammer Down would finally get things going with backup quarterback Marcos Davila hitting Tra’Mar Harris for a 53 yard strike that set up a Freehill 30-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 13-3.
Team Hammer Down would get second half touchdowns from Will Heldt, who picked off Davila and returned it for a score, and a touchdown pass from Jake Wilson to Ryne Sheckleford.
“Our defense has improved. I definitely think we are better than we were a year ago,” Walters said.
Walters said the coaching staff has been trying to “force feed” Davila, bringing him up to speed, considering he is fresh out of high school.
“Everyone got a chance to play, and I thought they did a good job running the offense. We have to clean up some of the penalties, pre snap penalties, and you don’t want to turn the ball over, obviously, but I thought they did a good job in the framework of the offense,” Walters said of the play of all the quarterbacks.
Purdue football opens the season Aug. 31 at home against Indiana State.
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