“I’m not afraid to tell the truth”
Purdue coach Ryan Walters has no regrets about revealing on his radio show that former Michigan staff member Connor Stalions had purchased tickets to multiple Purdue games over the past two years.
On Thursday night, Walters said that Purdue “knew for a fact that they were at several of our games” and that Purdue had completely changed its signals before Saturday night’s game at Michigan.
On Friday morning, Yahoo Sports reported that Purdue had discovered that Stalions had purchased tickets to six Purdue home games over the last two seasons. Later in the day, Yahoo Sports reported that Stalions was no longer on the Michigan staff. He had been suspended from duty since mid-October.
Saturday’s game went exactly as we all expected, even if it was a rematch for the Big Ten title from a season ago. No. 3 Michigan entered the race as a 32.5-point favorite and easily beat the Boilermakers 41-13. After the game, Walters said he “just called a spade a spade” and was a little surprised that his comments became such a big deal. But he said he would make the same comments he made Thursday night if given a second chance.
“I didn’t think so — and if you’re telling the truth, it’s usually not a big deal,” Walters said. “But I would say that on Friday morning I made breakfast, got a cup of coffee, turned on ‘SportsCenter’ and was on the ticker, and I was like, ‘Oh, okay.'” But I’m not afraid to tell the truth say, and if I had to do it again I would say the same thing.”
Walters’ comments during his radio show came the same day that officials from Big Ten schools met with the conference about the personal allegations of sign-stealing against Michigan. The conference could consider disciplinary action against Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh as part of the plan.
After the game, it was clear that Walters had no objection to Harbaugh. The two coaches’ handshake after the game was a moment not to be missed as Walters didn’t stop moving.
The loss moved Michigan to 9-0 heading into a key game against Penn State in Week 11. Purdue is now 2-7 and will not officially go to a bowl game.
