Sept. 9, 2000
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* Coach's Postgame Audio!
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Drew Brees had a productive reunion with Vinny Sutherland.
Brees completed 32 of 46 passes for 415 yards and two touchdowns, both to Sutherland, as No. 14 Purdue beat Kent State 45-10 on Saturday.
Sutherland, suspended for disciplinary reasons for Purdue's opener, returned to score three touchdowns and had 192 total yards in the first half.
Brees, who ran for two touchdowns, become Purdue's career leader in total offense and completions, passing Mark Herrmann in both categories. The senior also moved into second place on the Big Ten list for total offense, and third place in completions.
But, Brees wasn't pleased despite Purdue (2-0) posting its second consecutive one-sided victory over a Mid-American Conference opponent.
"We didn't put up as many points as we should have," he said. "We gave three turnovers, which we can't have. We were productive in gaining yards, but it was like we were going through the motions.
"Our tempo was not as good," he added, comparing it to the opening 48-0 victory over Central Michigan. "We need to break out of the huddle and keep focused."
The Boilermakers (2-0) built a 24-3 halftime lead with Sutherland accumulating 71 yards on five receptions, including TD catches of 4 and 5 yards.
The senior receiver also rushed twice for 16 yards, including an 8-yard TD run. He also had a 39-yard punt return and brought back two kickoffs for a total of 66 yards. Sutherland added just one catch for 21 yards in the second half and didn't get a chance to return a punt or kickoff.
"Vinny played well. He actually wore himself out. He started cramping up in the second half and had to go to the locker room to get an I.V. and get some fluid in him," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said. "I think his greatest contribution this season will be in the kicking game. He's very intense and plays like he's on a mission."
Kent State (0-2) scored all of its points after recovering Purdue fumbles. Dave Pavich gave the visitors an early 3-0 lead with a 23-yard field goal. The Golden Flashes got the ball on Purdue's 39 when James Harrison recovered Steve Ennis' fumble on the game's second play.
Brees has 9,283 yards of total offense, 774 completions, 8,857 passing yards and 69 TD passes in 34 games. He consistently had the defense guessing as he often had time to double and triple pump while hitting on 18 of 26 passes for 238 yards in the first half.
"The biggest problem we had is that we wanted them to throw short and they beat us on the long ball," Kent State coach Dean Pees said. "Purdue is a very talented team. To me, they were a great offensive team and have a good defense."
Purdue took the lead for good as Brees moved his team 44 yards in nine plays, completing the drive with a 4-yard throw to Sutherland. The drive began when Landon Johnson recovered a Kent State fumble. On Purdue's next possession, following a 39-yard punt return by Sutherland, the Boilermakers moved 54 yards in nine plays to score on the 5-yard pass to Sutherland.
Sutherland's 8-yard run made it 21-3 with 2:20 left in the first half, and Travis Dorsch kicked a 35-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the period to become Purdue's career field-goal leader with 37.
Kent State moved 73 yards in five plays to score on a 30-yard pass from Zach Williams to Jurron Kelly.
The Boilermakers responded by going 73 yards in five plays, scoring on a 5-yard scamper by Brees. He later scored from the 3, ending a 12-play, 89-yard drive that consumed more than five minutes on the clock.
Brees was given the rest of the day off with about six minutes to play with freshman Brandon Hance taking over. Hance moved Purdue 70 yards in 11 plays, completing a 5-yard pass to Chris James for the game's final score.
Statistically, the Boilermakers had as big an advantage as the final score. Purdue finished with 605 yards total offense, compared to 319 by Kent State.
Chante Murphy had 101 of Kent State's yards on 20 carries.
"It gives me confidence and confidence in my line," he said. "Next game we're going to try to mix it up. ... That's when we're most comfortable by mixing it with both the run and the pass."