Aug 31, 2002
Purdue-Illinois State Complete Statistics in PDF Format
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Kyle Orton threw three touchdown passes and Joey Harris ran for 144 yards and scored twice as Purdue easily defeated Division I-AA Illinois State 51-10 Saturday.
Harris, who had just 255 yards rushing last season, had 83 yards in the first quarter and topped 100 early in the third. Harris scored on a 6-yard run in the first and a 57-yard pass from Orton in the second.
John Standeford, who added more than 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason, had TD receptions 10 and 24 yards in the opening quarter. The latter score came on a three-play drive after Purdue's Jacques Reeves recovered a fumble.
The Boilermakers had the ball for 11:54 in the first, totaling 167 yards of offense.
 Purdue's 337 yards of offense in the first half was more than its total in seven different games last season.  | |
After ranking in the top 10 nationally in total offense in 1999 and 2000, the Boilermakers plummeted to 105th a year ago. Orton, inserted as a starter for the final three games of last season, was 14-for-28 for 250 yards and no interceptions for his first career victory at quarterback.
Purdue's 337 yards of offense in the first half was more than its total in seven different games last season. The team scored 50 points for the first time since getting 52 against Michigan State in 1999.
Harris also added a 32-yard sideline run in the third that set up a 3-yard TD run by Jerod Void.
In its first meeting with Purdue since 1897, Illinois State was overmatched on both sides of the ball. Only once, on a 25-yard completion, did the Redbirds move past midfield in the first half. It was quarterback's Kevin Zouzounis only completion of the half, and he was benched in the second half.
Backup Mike Souza led the Redbirds to their only touchdown - a 15-yarder to Dewayne Smith in the third quarter. Illinois State also got a 27-yard field goal from Stephen Carroll.
Souza finished 7-for-17 for 102 yards.
Purdue starting wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield and starting safety Stuart Schweigert sat out with injuries, and starting defensive end Shaun Phillips and reserve Deaunte Ferrell did not play because of unspecified team violations.