Elijah Sindelar’s numbers on the field helped Purdue beat Arizona 38-35 in the Foster Farms Bowl Wednesday night – the first bowl win for the Boilermakers since 2011. The Caldwell County alum was named offensive MVP after throwing for 396 yards and four touchdowns. He threw the game-winner with 1:44 left.
It was the news after the game that made Sindelar’s night even more amazing. Purdue Coach Jeff Brohm confirmed that Sindelar had played the last three games on a torn ACL suffered in the Northwestern game Nov. 11.
“For somebody to play almost four games with that, three and a half, that’s amazing. I couldn’t be prouder of his performance but to perform with that serious of an injury? How many people can do that? Less than 1 percent,” Brohm said after the game.
Sindelar also tore his ACL at the end of his senior season at Caldwell County and rehabbed at Purdue, redshirting his first season in West Lafayette.
Purdue built a 31-14 halftime lead before the Wildcats rallied in the second half. Sindelar then marched the Boilermakers 75 yards for the eventual game winning score. His 33 completions and 396 yards were Foster Farms Bowl records.
Sindelar started his sophomore season as the starter for Purdue before giving way to junior David Blough, who then suffered a season-ending leg injury Nov. 4. After regaining his starting spot, Sindelar led Purdue to a 3-1 record, throwing for 1,160 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions on a torn ACL.
Sindelar is scheduled to have surgery on his knee Friday.