WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue wasn’t sure whether to celebrate or worry after a season-opening 42-10 win over Northern Colorado on Saturday afternoon.
The heavily favored Boilermakers struggled to finish drives and led just 21-0 after three quarters against a Football Championship Subdivision team that went 1-11 last season.
“Overall, I thought we were pretty average,” Purdue coach Joe Tiller said.
Tiller tied Jack Mollenkopf for the most wins in school history. He has a record of 84-54 in his 12th year at Purdue, and a 123-84-1 record overall.
Tiller also beat one of his former assistants. Northern Colorado coach Scott Downing worked under Tiller for 12 years at Wyoming and Purdue.
Downing had kind words for his mentor.
“He deserves all the accolades he receives,” Downing said. “Mollenkopf was a good coach, but Tiller is a great coach.”
Bryan Waggener passed for 216 yards and a touchdown and Ryan Chesla caught nine passes for 99 yards for UNC (0-1).
Downing was excited the score wasn’t as lopsided as many experts predicted. The Bears had the ball for 37:20 and kept Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter on the sideline much of the game.
“I was very pleased and proud of the way we played today,” Downing said. “We let the game get away at the end, but besides that, I thought we had a solid effort.”
