1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team

The 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University in the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. They played their home games at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana and were members of the Big Ten Conference.

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 Chestovich,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."

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.

Awards

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