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Purdue football: Aidan O’Connell, Charlie Jones rekindle their connection during Game 1 loss
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Charlie Jones came to Purdue looking for an opportunity in a big-time passing offense.
Mission accomplished.
Two days before his former team scored only 7 points in a win — and Iowa did it without a touchdown — Jones exploded in his first game in a new uniform, grabbing 12 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in the Boilermakers’ loss to Penn State Thursday night.
Jones, a 6-foot, 188-pound 6th-year senior, was the Big Ten’s Return Man of the Year last season, but he was limited in Iowa’s conservative offense. Last season, he had a team-high-tying 3 receiving touchdowns but only 21 receptions for 323 yards, the 5th- and 4th-highest totals among Hawkeyes in ’21. He wanted more. And after entering the transfer portal during the spring, he called Jeff Brohm 2 days before Memorial Day and told the Purdue coach he was heading to West Lafayette.
“We throw the ball and he wanted to go somewhere and showcase his talents that he didn’t think was being used the right way,” Brohm said after Purdue’s 35-31 loss to Penn State. “So we welcomed him with open arms. He came in here and had a really good camp and he’s been able to showcase (his ability). … Charlie is just going to be a really good player here.”
After only 1 game, it’s proven to be a good match. The move has reunited Jones, a Deerfield, Ill., native, with childhood friend Aidan O’Connell, who hails from Long Grove, Ill. The 2 started their relationship back as 3rd graders, when they starred on their youth team, the Buffalo Grove Bills.
They were a great tandem again vs. the Nittany Lions.
Among their 12 connections was Purdue’s only passing touchdown, when O’Connell found Jones streaking late across the back of the end zone. When O’Connell was in trouble Thursday, or when he needed a big play, he looked toward his old mate, maybe more frequently even than desired.
But that was a big question before the season: Who would step up at receiver, with David Bell in the NFL, Milton Wright academically ineligible and Broc Thompson rehabbing himself back into top form.
O’Connell targeted Jones 19 times vs. the Nittany Lions. It’s unlikely Jones would have seen the same kind of opportunities had he stuck with the Hawkeyes for his last season, especially after looking at what Iowa did in its season-opening win over South Dakota State on Saturday afternoon. Veteran Iowa QB Spencer Petras went 11-of-25 passing for 109 yards. Jones himself had 1 more catch and 44 more yards for Purdue.
“He’s a great player. We knew that when we brought him here,” O’Connell said Thursday night. “He showed today a lot of dynamic play-making abilities. Obviously, everybody knows about him in the return game, but at the wide receiver position, too. It’s fun to throw to him, too. He’s a smart player, a good player and plays really hard.”
More big moments are likely ahead. Purdue will continue to pass the ball, and although it’s probably looking for better distribution, Jones will continue to get his share of chances. And it’s likely he’ll make an impact on special teams, something that wasn’t on display vs. the Nittany Lions, when he had only 43 yards on 3 kick returns and fair caught all but 1 of his punt return attempts.
“I think I bring different things to the table, can contribute and can add to the receiver room,” Jones said following the loss. “And I can make plays when the ball comes my way.”
Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.