Weather Conditions: fair; temperature 74; wind SW 6 mph; humidity 0%. The Boilermakers vs Cardinals 2004 matchup could be viewed as a special day. First for Purdue's Special Teams unit and second for Purdue Quarterback Kyle Orton. Purdue speedster Dorien Bryant returned the opening kickoff 53 yards to set the tone for Boilemaker special teams play. RB Jerod Void blocked a Cardinal punt playing on the special teams unit. SS Benard Pollard added another blocked punt. Three big plays on special teams gave the Boiler offense opportunistic field position.
On 10/18/03 Kyle Orton connected on his first 15 passes as the Boilers defeated the Badgers 26-23 in Madison Wisconsin and Orton was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. On 09/11/04 Orton duplicated the same 15 for 15 pass completion statistic against Ball St. before a home crowd at Ross-Ade Stadium. Again, Orton was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Orton set a new Purdue record for single game pass completion percentage at 88.5% (23/26). The Boiler defense had almost a mirror performance of the season opener against Syracuse by allowing only 197 yards.
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