Eight Wins and a Heisman Trophy Contender? Purdue Football Season Simulation with EA Sports

WEST LAFAYETTE − It’s been a decade since Journal and Mail had the ability to simulate a Purdue football season on the EA Sports video game.

Now that all the name, image and likeness issues have been resolved and College Football 25 is in stores, it was time to resume a tradition.

The bottom line: We simply simulated every game of the 2024 season and took notes on how the scenarios played out.

EA Sports has been kind to the Boilermakers, arguably, if you look at it from a fan’s perspective.

In real life, most people would expect an 8-5 season that would end with a bowl victory (with a few surprise wins along the way). Here’s how the digital Purdue Boilermakers accomplished it. Keep in mind that not all members of Purdue’s roster appear in the game.

More: BoilersXTRA: Bold Predictions for Purdue Football

Purdue 31, Indiana State 3

Indiana State (actually a fictional team called FCS Midwest in the game) became the opponent that would set the tone for Purdue and quarterback Hudson Card’s seasons. Card completed 23 of 27 passes for 265 yards and 3 TDs. Receiver Andrew Sowinski kicked off what would become a surprising monster season with 7 receptions for 67 yards and a TD. Jahmal Edrine caught 6 passes for 80 yards and a TD. Dillon Thieneman’s 8 tackles led a solid defensive effort.

Notre Dame 38, Purdue 28

Card had another solid performance, completing 21 of 29 passes for 242 yards and four touchdowns, but was sacked four times. CJ Smith had a breakout performance with six receptions for 82 yards and a TD, and former Georgia teammate De’Nylon Morrissette had a 44-yard TD catch, while Sowinski had a pair of touchdowns. Kydran Jenkins had 12 tackles. Notre Dame blocked a crucial field goal.

Purdue 35, Oregon State 30

Yanni Karlaftis had a key interception and the defensive secondary of Thieneman, Nyland Green, Markevious Brown, Boy Beasley and Antonio Stevens had 31 tackles. Sowinski caught two more TDs, matching Morrissette. Jahmal Edrine’s 80-yard touchdown reception was the difference.

Nebraska 45, Purdue 17

It may be a bummer to return to Ross-Ade Stadium after a road win. Purdue couldn’t recover from a missed field goal or four sacks despite a solid defensive day from Shitta Sillah. Sowinski found the end zone for the fourth straight game.

Purdue 24, Wisconsin 6

In reality, the Boilermakers haven’t beaten Wisconsin since 2003. But in this simulation, Card throws for 340 yards and a touchdown (to Sowinski, of course, who looks like an early-season All-American) while running for another. Edrine catches six passes for 93 yards, while Jenkins, Beasley, Karlaftis, Sillah and Joe Strickland all end up in the backfield for a sack.

Purdue 50, Illinois 21

The win came with a scare. Ryan Browne had to replace Card at quarterback, but he was up to the task, going 14 of 21 for 245 yards and four TDs in relief. Devin Mockobee ran for 88 yards, and Smith and Morrissette each caught a TD pass from Browne, while Sowinski ran for 131 yards and two TDs. Thieneman and Salim Turner-Muhammad intercepted passes and Jeffrey M’ba got a takedown in the backfield for the Boilermaker defense.

Oregon 28, Purdue 14

It’s a sign of things to come for the Ducks (more on that later), who become the first defense to slow Sowinski. CJ Smith and Reggie Love III score Purdue’s touchdowns, while Brown has a good day defensively and Will Heldt records his first sack.

Purdue 34, Northwest 21

Sowinski returned to the end zone, catching 7 passes for 64 yards, and Smith added 7 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown. Jenkins led the defense with 8 tackles and a sack, while Thieneman picked up his second interception of the season.

Purdue 31, Ohio State 27

The Boilermakers became bowl eligible in a stunning game despite three interceptions by Card, who, in true Drew Brees fashion against the Buckeyes, atoned for his mistakes with 316 yards and three TD passes, along with 50 yards rushing and a TD. Smith had seven receptions for 111 yards, and Max Klare scored touchdowns on both of his receptions. Spencer Porath had a quiet freshman year, kicking a 50-yard field goal.

Penn State 47, Purdue 45 (2 overtimes)

A heartbreaker at home after a blowout win the week before. On the plus side, Card is the Big Ten and National Player of the Week after throwing for 326 yards and 4 TDs, to go along with 65 rushing yards and 2 TDs. Morrissette scored twice and had 100 receiving yards, while Devin Mockobee became Purdue’s first 100-yard rusher of the season with 128 yards on 16 carries.

Michigan State 31, Purdue 17

Friday night’s lights and the road environment in East Lansing got the better of the Boilermakers. Card was sacked three times, but he managed to connect with Smith six times for 102 yards and a TD. Sillah and M’ba each recorded two sacks.

Purdue 27, Indiana 19

The Boilermakers extended their winning streak against the rival Hoosiers, retaining the Old Oaken Bucket thanks to Porath’s 50-yard field goal on a nine-point day. Edrine, Sowinski and Smith all caught TD passes from Card and Strickland was disruptive on defense.

Purdue 42, New Mexico 40

The Boilermakers accepted an invitation to the LA Bowl hosted by Gronk and offensive lineman DJ Wingfield had to battle against his former school. Jenkins led the defense to do just enough, while Card threw 4 TDs, including two to Smith.

Season Highlights

The Big Ten had five teams in the College Football Playoff (Oregon, USC, Nebraska, Michigan, and Ohio State). Oregon won the national title by defeating UCF in the title game.

For Purdue, Hudson Card finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting and was selected to the All-Big Ten first team. Gus Hartwig was selected to the All-Big Ten second team, while Porath was a freshman All-American at kicker.

Purdue’s Statistical Leaders

Card’s numbers as a Heisman Trophy candidate: 250 of 358, 3,452 yards, 33 TDs, 5 INTs, 97 carries, 407 yards, 7 rushing TDs.

Mockobee leads Purdue’s rushing game with 771 yards, but only scores two TDs, while Love has three TDs.

It’s a big year for Purdue’s receivers. Smith caught 60 passes for 884 yards and 9 TDs, Edrine had 7 TDs on 40 receptions for 875 yards and Sowinski averaged a TD per game, finishing with 65 receptions for 749 yards and 13 TDs. Morrissette added 22 receptions for 479 yards and 6 TDs, while Klare caught 40 passes for 471 yards at tight end.

Jenkins’ 82 tackles led the defense and he added 2.5 sacks. Thieneman had just two interceptions but had 69 tackles. Nyland Green’s three interceptions led the team.

Porath finished 12 of 16 field goals, including two 50-yarders. He was also perfect on 49 extra points. Kicker Keelan Crimmins was solid, averaging 43.9 yards per punt and placing 15 inside the 20-yard line.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article was originally published on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Simulating Purdue’s Season with EA Sports College Football 25