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Jeff Brohm sets Week 5 status for Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell

Cole Thompson

By Cole Thompson

Published:

Purdue could be at a crossroads in Week 5 if quarterback Aidan O’Connell is unable to play. On Thursday, Boilermakers’ coach Jeff Brohm gave an inside look as to what would be the game plan moving forward.

Brohm told reporters that O’Connell will be a game-time decision for Saturday’s matchup against No. 21 Minnesota. O’Connell did not play in Purdue’s 28-26 close win against Flordia Atlantic.

O’Connell has been playing hurt since the first quarter of Purdue’s 32-29 loss to Syracuse earlier this month. Despite leaving the game for a moment, the 6th-year senior returned to close things out, going 39-of-56 passing for 424 yards, 3  TDs and an interception.

Last week, 6th-year senior Austin Burton got the starting nod at Ross-Ade Stadium. He finished 21-of-29 passing for 166 yards with 3 TDs and an interception. Redshirt sophomore Michael Alaimo also saw action for 1 series in the second half.

Explosive plays have taken a hit with Burton at the helm. Last week against the Conference USA school from Boca Raton, Burton only connected once on throws over 20 yards downfield. Most of his throws were under 10 yards, while 8 throws were made to running backs and receivers behind the line of scrimmage.

A road trip to Minneapolis is already challenging enough. The Boilermakers are 0-6 in games played at TCF Bank Stadium. Led by PJ Fleck and running back Mohamed Ibrahim, the Golden Gophers have leaped the driver’s seat at the front-runners to win the B1G West.

Kickoff Saturday is set for noon E.T.

Cole Thompson

Cole Thompson is a freelance writer for Saturday Tradition who has covered college football and the NFL for multiple websites. Thompson is currently based in Houston, Texas, and also can be heard daily on SportsMap National Radio's 'Just Sayin It' from 3am-6am.