Purdue is playing in Madison, which can only mean one thing-it must be homecoming.
Every time the Boilermakers have visited Madison since 1998, they have been the Badgers' homecoming opponent. Including a 1992 appearance, Saturday is the fifth time overall in Barry Alvarez's 16 years the teams have knocked helmets on a UW homecoming date. If history can be used as a guide, Saturday's game will not be decided until the closing moments and will add another entertaining chapter to a burgeoning rivalry.
1992: Wisconsin 19, Purdue 16
Trailing 16-6 at the half, the Badgers shut out Purdue in the second half, notching the winning points on a 49-yard field goal by Rich Thompson with 38 seconds remaining. Backup quarterback Jay Macias took over shortly before the half for an injured Darrell Bevell and completed eight of 16 passes for 98 yards.
\I was really pleased by the way those kids battled and how this team has learned to win,"" Alvarez said after the game. ""The players have accepted their roles and been very unselfish and done whatever it takes to help the football team win.""
Though these Badgers would finish at 5-6 and just miss qualifying for a bowl game, the team had laid the groundwork for 1993's remarkable Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl victory.
1998: Wisconsin 31, Purdue 24
In one of the crazier games in Camp Randall history, a night when Alvarez praised his defense for its ""magnificent"" play despite giving up 570 total yards, Wisconsin continued its run to the Roses with a victory under the lights.
Purdue's Drew Brees tied and set NCAA records for pass completions and attempts, respectively, going 55 for 83 for 474 yards. But two key second-half interceptions by freshman cornerbacks Mike Echols and Jamar Fletcher derailed the Boilermakers' chances.
""They can pass for 1,000 yards,"" Echols said. ""But as long as they don't get in the end zone, then we're doing our job.""
2000: Purdue 30,
Wisconsin 24, OT
Wisconsin went from the brink of victory to gut-wrenching defeat when Purdue blocked a Vitaly Pisetsky field-goal attempt in overtime and returned it for the decisive touchdown.
The loss overshadowed a magnificent performance by Wisconsin freshman quarterback Jim Sorgi, who was making his first collegiate start in place of the injured Brooks Bollinger. Sorgi completed 21 of 29 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Chris Chambers torched the Boilermakers with 11 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown.
The loss was UW's fourth in five games and second overtime defeat of the season. The team would rally to win its last five games, however, and finish the season 9-4.
2003: Purdue 26, Wisconsin 23
The emotionally bankrupt Badgers gave it their all but ran out of steam one week after ending Ohio State's 19-game unbeaten streak. UW allowed Purdue to put together a long fourth-quarter drive that ended with the winning field goal with just seconds remaining. Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton controlled the game, completing 38 of 55 passes for 411 yards, as the Boilermakers held the ball for nearly 37 minutes.
""Our heads were spinning around as much as they were throwing it,"" junior cornerback Scott Starks said.
The loss began an ugly stretch for the Badgers, in which they would nose dive from a 6-1 record to a 7-6 finish.
