Boilermakers Country

It's Game Day, Purdue Football Program Excited to Have Fans Back at Ross-Ade Stadium

The wait is finally over. Purdue football takes the field against Oregon State on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET and the Boilermakers' players and coaches have been waiting to get fans back at Ross-Ade Stadium.

D.J. Fezler

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — It's been 644 days since the last time Purdue had a full crowd of fans cheering on the football team inside Ross-Ade Stadium. 

It was an adjustment for the Boilermakers as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented attendees in the stands last season, but weeks of practice have led to the team's season opener against Oregon State. Purdue is anxious to play again in front of those who bleed gold and black. 

"It feels like we haven't had a true home game in a long time," Purdue redshirt fifth-year senior Jackson Anthrop said. "So just getting back and having some sort of normal feeling. It's exciting to get to see the student section and have your family and friends there. And just having old players back, too, is going to be really, really fun." 

Ross-Ade Stadium will operate at 100% capacity during the 2021 college football season, and when the Boilermakers take on the Beavers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET, they are expecting a nearly sold-out crowd. 

The sights, sounds and smells just before kickoff are things that the program has missed out on since 2019. 

"Really, that's what college football is about," coach Jeff Brohm said. "So we're looking forward to getting back to it, all of us are. Players, coaches, fans, all you guys I mean, you know, the spirit, the band, the tailgating, the people, that's what it's all about. 

"So our guys work hard to not only perform well, but they want to try to put on a show for their friends and their fans and represent the school in a positive way. So yeah, that's going to be fun. And we look forward to it." 

Leading up to this week's game Purdue players and coaches couldn't hide their excitement for getting back in front of a crowd. As soon as fans were mentioned in the presence of senior linebacker Jaylan Alexander, he started smiling from ear to ear. 

He said he can't wait. 

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"We missed the fans. Last year, as you were playing, you didn't really understand or see what it really meant to have fans at the field until after the season," Alexander said. "Some of those games, it would have been cool to have our fans at home. When you're at home, you always got that home field advantage, and fans is part of that." 

The anticipation for Week 1 can finally be let loose Saturday night. As Purdue football looks to start the season with a victory, having fans back will only boost the confidence of the players out on the field. 

"It's gonna be fun. I mean, I've been looking forward to it ever since they said the capacity is gonna be 100%," junior quarterback Jack Plummer said. "Under the lights, the first game should be fun. And I would imagine the fans are kind of itching to get back out there too." 

Stories Related to Purdue Football

  • ROSS-ADE STADIUM UPDATED MASK POLICY: Purdue Athletics is implementing updated mask guidelines ahead of the football program's season opener against Oregon State. Fans will be required to wear masks in all indoor spaces at Ross-Ade Stadium. CLICK HERE 
  • WHO WILL STEP UP BEHIND DAVID BELL?: Junior wide receiver David Bell is expected to be the top receiver in Purdue football's potent passing offense, but who else is going to step up? Even Bell can't quite pinpoint the answer. The Boilermakers have several players poised to contribute in 2021. CLICK HERE
  • PURDUE ATHLETICS TO CREATE NIL PROGRAM: Purdue Athletics took another step in aiding its student-athletes with name, image and likeness opportunities. Atlius Sports Partners represents several college athletic departments across the country. CLICK HERE
  • JACK PLUMMER'S CONFIDENCE: Jack Plummer will make the first season-opening start of his career for Purdue football against Oregon State. His experience and confidence helped him earn the starting quarterback spot during fall camp. CLICK HERE
  • JEFF BROHM SAYS PROGRAM LIKELY 95% VACCINATED: Coach Jeff Brohm said during his Monday press conference that the Purdue football program is about 95% vaccinated or more. The team was pushing for a 90% vaccination rate by the end of July. CLICK HERE
  • OREGON STATE STARTING QUARTERBACK: Colorado transfer Sam Noyer, a sixth-year senior, was named the starting quarterback for Oregon State on Monday. Purdue opens the season against the Beavers on Saturday starting 7 p.m. ET at Ross-Ade Stadium. CLICK HERE
  • TAKEAWAYS FROM JEFF BROHM PRESS CONFERENCE: Jeff Brohm met with the local media to discuss Purdue football's season opener against Oregon State. Here are some of the key takeaways from the press conference, including what to expect from the Beavers come Saturday night. CLICK HERE
  • JEFF BROHM PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO: Purdue football coach Jeff Brohm met with the local media Monday to discuss the team's season opener against Oregon State on Saturday. Here are the highlights from what he had to say, and what we should expect from the Boilermakers to start the season. CLICK HERE

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D.J. Fezler
D.J. FEZLER

D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball. 

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