In their fourth season under head coach Jim Young, the Boilermakers finished in a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference, compiled a 9–3 record (7–1 against Big Ten opponents), defeated Missouri in the Liberty Bowl, were ranked No.
Quarterback Mark Herrmann gained national attention for breaking the NCAA's career record for passing yardage.
[3] Herrmann also won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference.
Purdue quarterback Mark Herrmann was sidelined with a bruised thumb (injured in practice during the week) and did not play.
In the first half, Purdue took a 21-0 lead, as Mark Herrmann completed 14 of 19 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Herrmannwent to the bench halfway through the fourth quarter, only to watch his record broken by Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson who tallied 425 passing yards as the Illini passed with abandon through the final minutes.
Michigan State quarterback John Leister threw more passes (54) than Herrmann, but completed only 18, had five interceptions, and lost a fumble.
After the game, Michigan State coach Muddy Waters said, "John is pretty disgusted with himself.
The victory was particularly impressive as the Wolverines held Purdue's record-setting quarterback, Mark Herrmann, to 129 passing yard (24 in the second half), intercepted four of Herrmann's passes, and did not allow a first down by Purdue in the second half.
In the annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, Purdue defeated Indiana, 24–23, in West Lafayette.
Rather than kick an extra point to tie the game, Indiana coach Corso called for a pass play to win the game; the pass was knocked down by linebacker Mike Marks, and Purdue preserved a one-point lead.
The Hoosiers regained possession on the onside kick but Don Geisler missed a 59-yard field goal as time expired.