Gophers’ buzz zapped in a 41-13 blowout loss at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — P.J. Fleck s Gophers have done it again. Every other year, Minnesota produces a couple of rousing wins to make diehards start to believe in the potential for a special season and also generate interest from casual fans. Then they lose the next game. The 41-13 loss to Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday is the latest example. The Gophers ability to win the Little Brown Jug from Michigan at home last week — a first since 1977 — and a road win at Washington two weeks ago put Minnesota at 2-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since Fleck s best year in 2019. The Gophers were a 2-point road favorite at Purdue on Saturday, but were blown out by a Boilermakers team that has now won consecutive Big Ten games for the first time since 2022. In 2024, Minnesota rattled off four straight Big Ten wins before a 26-19 loss at Rutgers. In 2022, Minnesota started the season 4-0 and were ranked No. 21 before a 20-10 home loss to Purdue. The tantal