The 1997 Purdue Boilermakers football team represented Purdue University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Joe Tiller, the Boilermakers compiled an overall record of 9âÂÂ3 with a mark of 6âÂÂ2 in conference play, placing in a three-way tie in the Big Ten. Purdue had its best season since 1980. The team played home games at RossâÂÂAde Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Joe Tiller's first game as Purdue head coach
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."
With the win over Wisconsin, Purdue is off to its best start since 1978 and produced their first five-game winning streak since 1980.