1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team

The 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Joe Tiller, the Boilermakers compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie in the Big Ten. Purdue had its best season since 1980. The team played home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Coaching staff

 * Head coach: Joe Tiller
 * Assistants: Tim Burke, Jim Chaney, Scott Downing, Gary Emanuel, Danny Hope, Larry Korpitz, Tim Lappano, Randy Melvin, Greg Olson, Brock Spack

Starters

 * Offense: WR Brian Alford, WR Gabe Cox, LT Mark Fischer, WR F Chesti, LG Brian Nicely, C Jim Niedrach, RG Chukky Okobi, RT Dan Maly, TE Jon Blackman, WR Isaac Jones, QB Billy Dicken, RB Edwin Watson, K Shane Ryan
 * Defense: LE Chukie Nwokorie, LT Leo Perez, RT Greg Smith, RE Rosevelt Colvin, WLB Willie Burroughs, MLB Willie Fells, SLB Mike Rose, LCB Michael Hawthorne, FS Adrian Beasley, SS Lee Brush, RCB Lamar Conrad, P Brandon Kaser

Toledo
Joe Tiller's first game as Purdue head coach

Notre Dame
In Joe Tiller's first home game, Purdue snapped an 11-game losing streak to Notre Dame as fans tore down the goalposts after the victory. Edwin Watson, who had two touchdown runs, had said earlier in the week that former head coach and new Irish offensive coordinator Jim Colletto "was used to losing here (Purdue), so it would be nothing new for him."

Northwestern

 * Kendall Matthews 29 rushes, 152 yards

Minnesota

 * Purdue's first win in Minneapolis since 1983.

Wisconsin
With the win over Wisconsin, Purdue is off to its best start since 1978 and produced their first five-game winning streak since 1980.

Illinois

 * Kendall Matthews 16 rushes, 177 yards

Michigan State

 * Edwin Watson 24 rushes, 115 yards

Penn State

 * Edwin Watson 19 rushes, 133 yards

Indiana

 * Edwin Watson 18 rushes, 163 yards

Awards

 * All-Americans: Brian Alford (Football News)
 * All-Big Ten: Brian Alford (1st), Rosevelt Colvin (2nd), Billy Dicken (1st)