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BLOOMINGTON -
The "bling" never looked so good on his white jersey.
With the I's and the P's draped over his shoulder pads, spilling out of the wooden bucket in his hands, Jaycen Taylor smiled and danced for the final time as a collegiate football player.
The golden numerals gleaned in the lights high above Memorial Stadium, for the running back and anyone else who came in contact with the most coveted trophy in Indiana Big Ten football. But it still didn't compare to the early glow the team had on the field, when the sun provided light for a Boilermaker blitz.
"Rivalry games you've got to do what you can to win," said Taylor-and for him and the Boliermaker veterans, that was a lot in the first half.
See: Read "The Hawley Six" For The Bucket Game
With many upperclassmen leading the way Purdue scored the game's first 21 points, caused two turnovers, blocked a field goal and set the tone for a 38-21 to close out their season while bringing home the Old Oaken Bucket for the second straight season.
"It was nice to getting some turnovers instead of giving them away," said Purdue head coach Danny Hope of the start of the game.
It began with a takeaway on the game's third play, as longtime starter Ryan Kerrigan knocked the ball out of the Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell's hands, a fumble which was recovered by Kawann Short. After that led to a score in the first quarter, senior Torri Williams got into the act, picking off a Chappell pass to set up another score that put the Boilers in control.
"We knew they had talented receivers and a talented quarterback, so we looked at it as a game to come in here and to try and compete and show that we were able to play with some of the best players in the nation," said Williams of the turnover-minded defense.
Read: Joe McConnell To Call Final Game For Purdue Saturday
Of course, the offense had to convert on those turnovers, and it starts with Taylor, who lost his starting job at the beginning of the season to Ralph Bolden. But in his final game as a Boilermaker, Taylor was given the start and the majority of the carries and he took advantage, rushing for 82 yards on 10 carries in the first half.
He started Purdue's big first half when he took a swing pass from quarterback Joey Elliott and took it to the pylon for the six yard touchdown to give the Boilermakers the lead. It was one of three catches on the day, as Taylor also finished his career in West Lafayette with 110-yard rushing performance.
"I didn't get too much to do this year but I did the best I can this game and we won and that's always a good thing," said Taylor, who had his best rushing day of 2009 in Bloomington Saturday.
It brings a successful end to a career at Purdue marred by injuries, including a broken arm in 2007 and a torn ACL that cost him all of the 2008 season.
"We talk about in the locker room 'Hey, whose gonna make the big play this week'," said Elliott. "That guy over there, Jaycen Taylor, heck of a job. He put us on his back and carried us."
See: IU Expands Student Section For Bucket Game
Elliott was under center for every Boilermaker game in 2009, but had perhaps his most efficient game of the 2009 season against the Hoosiers. He completed a season-high 72 percent of his passes to go along with four touchdown passes without a single interception.
The quarterback was at his best in the first half, completing 11-of-14 passes for three touchdowns that helped Purdue jump out to the 21-point lead.
"Any time you can get good field position and take advantage of short fields, and put seven up and not take field goals, you build a lot of momentum as an offense," said Elliott of the fast start.
It also gave the team enough momentum to carry them for the rest of the game, as IU climbed to within 10 points in the fourth quarter on a Chappell touchdown pass to Damarlo Belcher, but could never overcome the early deficit.
"I'm really disappointed for the seniors because I know how hard they've worked," said Indiana head coach Bill Lynch. "If you play at Indiana you want to finish with a win at the Bucket Game, just like the kids who are celebrating down there."
With the I's and the P's draped over his shoulder pads, spilling out of the wooden bucket in his hands, Jaycen Taylor smiled and danced for the final time as a collegiate football player.
The golden numerals gleaned in the lights high above Memorial Stadium, for the running back and anyone else who came in contact with the most coveted trophy in Indiana Big Ten football. But it still didn't compare to the early glow the team had on the field, when the sun provided light for a Boilermaker blitz.
"Rivalry games you've got to do what you can to win," said Taylor-and for him and the Boliermaker veterans, that was a lot in the first half.
See: Read "The Hawley Six" For The Bucket Game
With many upperclassmen leading the way Purdue scored the game's first 21 points, caused two turnovers, blocked a field goal and set the tone for a 38-21 to close out their season while bringing home the Old Oaken Bucket for the second straight season.
"It was nice to getting some turnovers instead of giving them away," said Purdue head coach Danny Hope of the start of the game.
It began with a takeaway on the game's third play, as longtime starter Ryan Kerrigan knocked the ball out of the Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell's hands, a fumble which was recovered by Kawann Short. After that led to a score in the first quarter, senior Torri Williams got into the act, picking off a Chappell pass to set up another score that put the Boilers in control.
"We knew they had talented receivers and a talented quarterback, so we looked at it as a game to come in here and to try and compete and show that we were able to play with some of the best players in the nation," said Williams of the turnover-minded defense.
Read: Joe McConnell To Call Final Game For Purdue Saturday
Of course, the offense had to convert on those turnovers, and it starts with Taylor, who lost his starting job at the beginning of the season to Ralph Bolden. But in his final game as a Boilermaker, Taylor was given the start and the majority of the carries and he took advantage, rushing for 82 yards on 10 carries in the first half.
He started Purdue's big first half when he took a swing pass from quarterback Joey Elliott and took it to the pylon for the six yard touchdown to give the Boilermakers the lead. It was one of three catches on the day, as Taylor also finished his career in West Lafayette with 110-yard rushing performance.
"I didn't get too much to do this year but I did the best I can this game and we won and that's always a good thing," said Taylor, who had his best rushing day of 2009 in Bloomington Saturday.
It brings a successful end to a career at Purdue marred by injuries, including a broken arm in 2007 and a torn ACL that cost him all of the 2008 season.
"We talk about in the locker room 'Hey, whose gonna make the big play this week'," said Elliott. "That guy over there, Jaycen Taylor, heck of a job. He put us on his back and carried us."
See: IU Expands Student Section For Bucket Game
Elliott was under center for every Boilermaker game in 2009, but had perhaps his most efficient game of the 2009 season against the Hoosiers. He completed a season-high 72 percent of his passes to go along with four touchdown passes without a single interception.
The quarterback was at his best in the first half, completing 11-of-14 passes for three touchdowns that helped Purdue jump out to the 21-point lead.
"Any time you can get good field position and take advantage of short fields, and put seven up and not take field goals, you build a lot of momentum as an offense," said Elliott of the fast start.
It also gave the team enough momentum to carry them for the rest of the game, as IU climbed to within 10 points in the fourth quarter on a Chappell touchdown pass to Damarlo Belcher, but could never overcome the early deficit.
"I'm really disappointed for the seniors because I know how hard they've worked," said Indiana head coach Bill Lynch. "If you play at Indiana you want to finish with a win at the Bucket Game, just like the kids who are celebrating down there."
