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    • Purdue Football Numbers vs. Oregon State: Boilers Inconsistent Again
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    Purdue Football Numbers vs. Oregon State: Boilers Inconsistent Again

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    CORVALLIS, Ore. — Purdue football had to respond to last week’s historic loss to Notre Dame with an early and confident response against Oregon State.

    Instead, the Boilermakers fell into a two-touchdown hole they couldn’t climb out of in a 38-21 loss at Reser Stadium. They finish the non-conference portion of their schedule at 1-2 and head into Big Ten play looking for consistency on both sides of the ball.

    The offense’s big plays in the rushing game were undermined by turnovers and a lack of spark in the passing game. The defense held up early, but faded in key phases after a week of carrying the load again.

    Insider: Unless Purdue’s Hudson Card finds its groove, Boilermakers’ season is in shambles

    Purdue played without starting receiver Jahmal Edrine, who was ruled out for the game. Several key defenders were injured during the game. The highlight is a team that can’t give itself the football to move forward.

    Purdue Football Offensive

    Grade: D

    Jet lag affected only half the team. A week after going 0-for-6 on third down in the first half against Notre Dame, Purdue went 1-for-5 while falling into a 17-7 hole. Gaining 1 yard on three third-down carries isn’t enough. The first quarter also included a red zone fumble and a pick-six. The offense had more to say about the 14-0 hole than the defense.

    Devin Mockobee and Reggie Love III hit holes for big gains and racked up big yards. Mockobee broke down five runs of 10-plus yards. Purdue, however, continues to trend toward a one-dimensional identity.

    With less than four minutes to play, quarterback Hudson Card had completed six passes. Any optimism for Purdue’s improvement this season had to include a step up at quarterback. Since Card’s near-perfect performance against Indiana State in the glorified scrimmage of an opener, the passing game has been a liability.

    Defense

    Grade: C-

    Far from perfect, and not performing at a level that would be considered an improvement over last season. Until it makes it harder for good opponents on third down, it will continue to chase points.

    On the other hand, this defense has no room for error at the moment. I am rating this on a curve because the unit understandably looks exhausted towards the end of the game. It has come through on several occasions earlier to give the ball back to the offense, only to quickly let it run loose again.

    KJ Jenkins showed what kind of pass rush weapon he can be at middle linebacker. He’s not enough help against Purdue’s vulnerabilities to runs off the edge. Oregon State took some notes from Notre Dame’s performance there and used a lack of containment to make some key gains.

    Special teams

    Grade: B

    Only two reasons not to attempt a field goal three games into the season. Either the offense has scored a truckload of touchdowns, or field goal range is too often a theory. You know where Purdue is at this point.

    This unit has avoided major blunders. It needs to stay that way, so as not to waste an opportunity if and when the other phases do get it. The same goes for punter Keelan Crimmins, who can handle a glut of work with great skill.

    Accompaniment

    Grade: D

    I defend the fourth down decision in the red zone early in the second quarter. You can’t get out of a 14-0 hole on field goals. The offense had to keep a touchdown drive alive, as it was the only good first half drive in two weeks up to that point.

    I do have a problem with that play call, though — a pitch that Love needed to gain more than the required 2 yards. He gained 1.

    I assume Purdue head coach Ryan Walters called that timeout at the end of the first half because he felt Purdue was holding Oregon State to third down. It looked very close. The play was never reviewed and the extra time allowed the Beavers to extend their lead with a field goal.

    Slow starts are no longer a trend for this offense. They are part of this team’s identity. Walters and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell really need to find a solution.

    Game of the game

    Card attempted a short pass to Love out of the backfield to start Purdue’s second offensive series. The ball hit Love’s ankle and popped straight to linebacker Zakah Saez. His 20-yard interception return touchdown put the Boilermakers in a 14-0 deficit.

    Player of the game

    While Card and Purdue’s passing game sputtered, Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy steadily moved the chains. He mixed well-timed scrambles and option looks to rush for 66 yards, but also showed he could throw it in the two-minute drill to close out the first half.

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