WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football displayed many of the elements necessary to upset Illinois at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday.
The Boilermakers simply still cannot do them consistently enough, and cannot avoid crippling instances of self-sabotage. Ross-Ade Stadium’s crowd began to thin out in the third quarter of a 43-27 loss.
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Purdue’s Big Ten Conference losing streak reaches 11 games as the Illini successfully defend the Cannon for the first time since 2001-02.
Here’s what I liked, disliked and what Purdue’s loss means.
What I liked in Purdue football’s loss vs Illinois
There’s that rushing game Purdue insisted would eventually kick in. It worked so well, actually, that one wondered why the Boilermakers did not go to Devin Mockobee and Antonio Harris more.
When Harris broke off a 41-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, he and Mockobee had combined for 114 yards on 11 carries. The entire offense averaged 6.8 sack-adjusted yards per carry for the game.
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That counts as a big step forward for what was the Big Ten’s worst rushing offense coming in (2.45 yards per carry vs. FBS opponents). Purdue must replicate the effort, because significantly better defenses await later on this schedule.
∙ Ryan Browne can look at Luke Altmyer and see the future to which he should aspire. The Illini quarterback plays in complete control of the game and simply makes the correct decision. Considering how often he had to throw on the run, Browne’s day — 30 of 50, 302 yards, no turnovers — was still solid. His receivers let him down in a few key spots.
What I disliked in Purdue football’s loss vs Illinois
Two crucial swings in this game might have cost Purdue the game. Both involved USC transfer Michael Jackson III.
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He failed to protect the ball after a second-quarter reception. Illinois’ Dylan Rosiek punched it loose, and Jojo Hayden recovered it at the Illini 38. Altmyer hit a wide-open Hank Beatty for a 62-yard touchdown on the game’s next play.
Midway through the third quarter, Myles Slusher made a big tackle to force a three-and-out. Trailing 30-21, Purdue could drive and make it a one-score game. Instead, Jackson fumbled the punt return, and Illinois recovered at the Boiler 9. The defense again forced a three-and-out, limiting the damage to one of David Olano’s five field goals.
That’s essentially 10 points given away for free and obviously none scored. Changes the complexion of everything.
∙ It has become increasingly clear that while Purdue acquired a lot of secondary experience in the transfer portal, it did not necessarily acquire more skill.
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Tony Grimes’ absence didn’t help. Per the BTN broadcast, the starting cornerback and sixth-year veteran suffered an injury in practice this week. That left second year Hudauri Hines and former Memphis and Mississippi State transfer Traveon Wright to dominate snaps at cornerback.
When Illinois’ Collin Dixon hauled in a 39-yard pass on the opening drive of the second half, that was already the eighth passing play of 15 or more yards Purdue had allowed. (It had allowed 12 plays of 20 or more yards in its first three games against FBS opponents.)
Altmyer repeatedly had as much time to work as he wanted. If he waited long enough, some combination of those corners losing their man or lack of safety help over the top left receivers wide open. Beatty, arguably the best football player on the field, caught all four of his targets for 137 yards — in the first half.
“Our defense … absolutely awful,” Purdue coach Barry Odom said while on his way to the locker room at halftime.
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∙ I’ve already said my piece on Purdue getting cute around the goal line or in short yardage and taking Browne out of the game. It already (arguably) cost them points against USC. If not for a fortunate bounce on a dropped snap, it might have cost them again Saturday.
I simply fail to see the logic that 6-foot-1 Malachi Singleton is the quarterback you want in the game when your starter is 6-4 and now lacking in mobility. (Not to mention Browne has already shown he can make the heads-up play when things go awry.
The other potential answer is this staff does not trust its offense’s ability to get 1 conventional yard at the goal line.
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What Purdue football’s loss vs Illinois means
The three-game stretch which ended Saturday always seemed like a tall order for a rebuilding program. USC, Notre Dame and Illinois are better stocked athletically right now and are well-coached enough to avoid a disaster.
Now we learn how much Purdue gained from the experience. It plays three opponents in its weight class — Minnesota and Northwestern on the road, Rutgers for homecoming — before November turns harsh again.
The Boilermakers could not rise to the occasion enough to beat Top 25-caliber teams. Can it do so enough to break through against these more vulnerable opponents?
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football likes, dislikes vs Illinois, score today, stats, did they win
