Ad Disclosure
Purdue football: Grade card after Boilermakers offense sputters again in loss
Published:
Purdue might have the country’s best offense between the 30-yard lines.
The problem, however, is that touchdowns very frequently are scored from the red zone. And there, the Boilermakers have issues. It was apparent again Saturday, when Purdue put up only 1 touchdown, plus 2 field goals (and had a third FG miss) in a 20-13 loss to Minnesota on Homecoming.
Purdue lost despite outgaining Minnesota 448-294, with 28 first downs compared to 12. The Gophers struck at opportune times and won their 4th straight vs. Purdue, this one in a steady rain in West Lafayette.
Let’s take a look at the grades:
Passing offense
Aidan O’Connell was given the starting nod at QB, as Jeff Brohm hoped that the senior could give the offense a boost.
It worked to a point. O’Connell racked up 371 yards on 34-of-52 passing, but the offense stalled in the red zone. He hit 1 touchdown, on a marvelous ‘throw-him-open’ toss to Milton Wright. He found David Bell, who returned from concussion protocol, 6 times for 120 yards.
But O’Connell missed, too. He missed TJ Sheffield on a cross pattern late, which had it been on target might have led to a game-tying touchdown. A play later, he was late to Broc Thompson, with the wide receiver getting a front-row seat to Minnesota’s victory-sealing interception. On a 4th-and-5 on Purdue’s second-to-last drive, O’Connell threw a bit low to Thompson, who picked up only 3 yards to turn the ball over on downs. He missed other throws, like when he was too long for Bell in the first half on a play that would have been a big gainer.
Pressure had a lot to do with poor timing; O’Connell was sacked 4 times, at least a couple coming when the QB simply could have avoided a big loss by getting rid of the ball. Minnesota scored its first touchdown when right tackle Eric Miller was beaten off the line, allowing the Gophers D-end to hit and strip-sack O’Connell for the turnover.
A sack later, though, might have been the most painful. On a 3rd-and-10 at the Minnesota 33, O’Connell was dropped for a loss of 12. Even a throw-away likely gives Purdue a chance on fourth down, but instead the Boilermakers were forced to punt.
Grade: C-
Rushing offense
King Doerue was a surprise starter for the Boilermakers, a week after the veteran running back had to sit due to an undisclosed illness (not COVID).
He gave the Boilermakers a much-needed running game, finishing with 95 yards on 21 carries. The sacks (44 yards worth) made the final numbers look bleak, but that doesn’t reflect reality. Doerue was solid, and Purdue threw up a change-up also when No. 3 quarterback Austin Burton came on to run the Wildcat.
Purdue did convert a 4th-and-short, when Doerue dove over the top to gain 2 yards when he needed 1.
Grade: C
Offense overall
Three straight games now in which the Boilermakers have scored only 13 points.
It’s hard to believe really.
Purdue can’t get it done in the red zone, converting 3 of 4 chances but twice settling for field goals. It missed a third field goal, then had its last-chance drive end at the Minnesota 27.
The Boilermakers could have taken a significant edge, particularly considering the rain picked up in the second half, if only it could have scored a TD at the end of the half, rather than settling for a FG.
Purdue’s not dynamic. It has a mediocre running game; the same for its passing game; the QBs — O’Connell Saturday and Jack Plummer previously — are inconsistent; the play-calling suspect; and the offense line porous.
Grade: C-
Pass defense
If Tanner Morgan wouldn’t have underthrown a handful of deep shots, then the game wouldn’t have even been close.
But the veteran quarterback repeatedly shorted open receivers. But Morgan struck to open the second half, hitting Mike Brown-Stephens on a long throw for 54 yards. Two plays later, Minnesota was in for a touchdown and a lead that it didn’t give up.
The one big play was enough.
Morgan finished 9-of-18 for 169 yards and a touchdown. Despite the slick turf, Purdue couldn’t get pressure on Morgan and the ball was never on the ground, much to the Gophers’ credit. The Boilermakers were credited with 4 PBUs, but unfortunately the wayward balls fluttered harmless to the turf.
Grade: B+
Rush defense
Purdue largely held the Minnesota running game in check, although it would have liked to get off the field sooner on the Gophers’ last FG drive.
Minnesota had 125 yards rushing, but averaged only 3.6 yards per attempt. The Boilermakers’ defensive line, maybe the bright spot of the entire season, does a great job of clogging up running lanes and either making the play or allowing others to.
However, Minnesota chewed up more than 4 minutes on its last significant drive, as the clock wound down from 6:23 to only 1:46. And the Gophers scored a field goal to go up 7. Each of the 9 plays on the drive was a rush.
Grade: C+
Defense overall
The Boilermakers gave up only 294 yards and 12 first downs, while preventing the opponent from converting on 8 of 13 third-down chances. And they allowed only 20 points.
It should have been good enough to win.
Yes, the start of the second half was ugly and proved to be the difference. The Boilermakers D looked flat, as Minnesota marched 75 yards in only 3 plays across 1:10 to go ahead. Three plays that were the difference.
Purdue needs to turn teams over.
Grade: B
Special teams
Purdue got beaten badly on special teams.
The Boilermakers made 2 of their 3 field goal tries, with the miss being untimely, coming after what looked like a low snap in the fourth quarter, when Purdue could have pulled within 1.
But it was elsewhere that Minnesota had the advantage. Gophers punter Mark Crawford might be the MVP, after he averaged 51.3, with 4 of his 6 landing inside the 20. Field possession was not favorable, which is a horrible situation to be in on a sloppy day. Kick returner Sheffield once tried to fair catch a kickoff, but dropped it, making the Boilermakers start at their own 8 rather than the 25.
Punter Jack Ansell was solid, with a 44-yard average on his 4 chances.
Grade: D
Coaching
Jeff Brohm put O’Connell in the game so that the Boilermakers would be more aggressive and try to solve their issues in the red zone.
And down 4 in the fourth quarter, the fifth-year coach chose to attempt a field goal rather than try to keep the drive alive to take the lead. Purdue’s desired personality and its play-calling aren’t in agreement, and that’s a problem.
Purdue is bad in the red zone, which is a combination of everything, including play-calling.
Meanwhile, PJ Fleck was aggressive to start the second half, beating the heavy rain by taking the lead, then sitting on it for 29 minutes.
Grade: D
Overall
Purdue had an opportunity against the Gophers, with a chance to get to 4-1 before the bye.
Instead, the Boilermakers offense — despite a QB change — continues to struggle, averaging only 13 points in the last 3 games. It’s a shame too, because the defense is playing at a level that is good enough to win frequently.
Purdue has a lot of questions headed into the bye.
Grade: C-
Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.