Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Oct 10, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; The Purdue Boilermakers celebrate a running back Fame Ijeboi (2) touchdown during the second quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium.
It’s been a rough number of years for the Purdue Boilermakers football program, which hasn’t made a bowl game since 2022 and won just seven games total in its three seasons under head coach Ryan Walters.
This year, the Boilermakers are beginning to turn things around slightly under first-year head coach Barry Odom. They’re 3-4 through seven games and have been competitive in all four Big Ten games, including wins over Illinois and Minnesota.
However, in addition to struggles on the field, Purdue has had a tendency to embarrass itself off the field as well.
Take, for instance, new athletic director Tommy McClelland, who had this to say during his introductory press conference in August:
“Every recruit, every student-athlete will hear this message repeatedly. We are here to win championships. We are here to win championships. If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.”
Indiana, Purdue’s biggest rival, is, of course, the reigning college football national champion. Unfortunately, the embarrassment doesn’t stop there.
Purdue Caught Using AI To Fill In Stands At Ross-Ade Stadium
The Boilermakers recently posted a highlight package from their last Big Ten game against Washington, a 38-26 home loss. But they’ve since deleted the video from all social media accounts after an eagle-eyed Indiana fan spotted something that wasn’t quite right.
As it turns out, Purdue used AI to alter the video.
Purdue is now using AI to make Ross Ade look larger/more crowded.
(That press box doesn’t exist)
😂 #iufb https://t.co/vcVNO0FTKE
— #6 (6-1) RESPECTABLE MICHIGAN MAN PUNCHER (@B89Adam) October 22, 2026
The Indiana fan pointed out that one of the press boxes in the video doesn’t actually exist, and that the stands appeared fuller in the highlights than they did in real life
Additionally, the highlight video seemed to add an upper deck to Ross-Ade Stadium, another thing that does not actually exist in real life.
@B89Adam I personally like how the first digit of the guy’s jersey number changes mid-jump https://t.co/0xYDzcflDL
— Never Made the Tourney Club (@NMTC_Hoops) October 22, 2026
Purdue did not publicly address the gaff. However, it did strip the video from all its social media channels, which is essentially admitting complicity.
Not a great look for a school that’s held in pretty high academic regard!