Coaches provide updates on David Blough, Jordan Howard
It didn’t look good when David Blough took a crushing shot from Jordan Lomax. The Purdue quarterback fumbled and was sidelined for the rest of the game with a concussion.
Well, it’s likely that the hit he took will sideline him for the final game of 2015, as well.
Darrell Hazell said that he doesn’t expect to have Blough back for when the Boilers battle Indiana for the Old Oaken Bucket against Indiana.
Without Blough, Austin Appleby will likely get the start.
The junior filled in admirably for Blough on Saturday against Iowa. He led Purdue back to within a possession in the second half with his 259 passing yards.
It was Appleby’s first action since he was benched in a Week 3 loss to Virginia Tech. He is the Boilermakers’ most experienced option at quarterback, having started every B1G game of 2014. The only game in which he didn’t toss at least one touchdown pass was in a Bucket Game loss to Indiana.
And while Purdue is without one of its best offensive weapons, IU could potentially be in a similar boat. Tailback Jordan Howard left Saturday’s game in the first half with a knee injury and didn’t return.
IU coach Kevin Wilson said this on Howard’s status:
Kevin WIlson: Howard "has a knee." We'll "try to manage." Had it coming out of the last game, been kind of fighting through it.
— Andy Graham (@AndyGraham7777) November 23, 2015
Howard already spent the first part of B1G play on the shelf with an ankle injury. In his two games back at full strength, the UAB transfer ripped off 174 yards against Iowa and 238 yards against Michigan.
IU still managed 47 points in Howard’s absence on Saturday.
The Hoosiers can clinch bowl eligibility for the first time in eight years with a victory on Saturday in West Lafayette.