Hammer and Rails - Oregon State (0-0) at Purdue (0-0) Game CenterPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2021-09-07T11:28:10-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/224117932021-09-07T11:28:10-04:002021-09-07T11:28:10-04:00Behind the Rails Episode 2: Oregon State Recap
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<img alt="Oregon State v Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ijt4qWy2YSedfCP4LOzuvTrIQtw=/0x0:7160x4773/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69825552/1235088023.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Kory and Travis are here to talk about Purdue’s season opening win.</p> <p id="rKFe5b">It is double podcast day here at Hammer & Rails. We have already heard from Ledman and Casey about Purdue’s opening win. Now it is time for episode 2 of the new podcast venture through BLEAV podcasts as former Purdue running back, Grey Cup MVP, and all-time touchdowns leader Kory Sheets and T-Mill talk about Purdue’s season opening win over <a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com">Oregon State</a>. Among the highlights:</p>
<ul>
<li id="952GKh">Did Kory watch himself score touchdowns on the jumbotron at Purdue?</li>
<li id="ZfmvHo">What did Kory do to thank his offensive line for 100 yard games? </li>
<li id="YtsvoT">The role of walk-ons and how they progress through the team over time.</li>
</ul>
<p id="GbakRs">And much more. These short (25-30 minutes) podcasts will come twice a week, hopefully on Tuesdays as a game wrap and Thursdays as a look ahead to the next game. As always, we thank Kory for taking the time to come on as one of Purdue’s best players ever. </p>
<div id="pHoSwW"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 200px; position: relative;"><iframe src="https://art19.com/shows/behind-the-rails-of-purdue-football/episodes/530955da-2e21-40a0-9397-fa33a829e3fd/embed?theme=light-gray-blue" style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; border: 0;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="encrypted-media;"></iframe></div></div>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/7/22660841/behind-the-rails-podcast-episode-2-oregon-state-recapBoilerTMill2021-09-05T14:00:00-04:002021-09-05T14:00:00-04:00The Whistlestop Tour: Week 1 of Big Ten Football
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<img alt="Oregon State v Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jdXWpYS9LTKOCAsvghhVQBl0SYM=/0x0:3872x2581/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69819774/1235057985.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s the week that was in the Big Ten. </p> <p id="TO4LMd">Week 1 is in the books and the Big Ten looked rather mediocre. Ohio State proved it is Ohio State. Michigan State looked surprisingly good. We had a couple of expected blowouts and Indiana proved to be wildly, hilariously overrated. Let’s look back at the week that was:</p>
<p id="ZwpETd"><strong>Thursday</strong></p>
<p id="haUiYj"><strong>Ohio State 45, Minnesota 31</strong></p>
<p id="rJyE69">The Buckeyes turned it on when they needed to and hit on a number of big plays in a game where they were tested, <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2021/9/3/22655156/overreacting-to-ohio-states-45-31-win-over-minnesota">but passed easily</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="L8muRQ">The coaching staff’s utilization of its personnel throughout this game on both sides of the ball was... questionable at best, but we will get to more of that in a little bit. To begin the night, it looked as though Tony Alford was looking to use the running backs on a series by series basis, much like Ohio State did back when they had J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber at the same time — which, if you recall, did not exactly work.</p></blockquote>
<p id="YY0e6S">The biggest news for Minnesota is that star running back Mohammed Ibrahim was likely lost for the season, <a href="https://www.thedailygopher.com/2021/9/3/22654958/minnesota-football-ohio-state-postgame-elite-meh-ugly">which is a huge blow</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="x0ijHd">Obviously, the elephant in the room is that Ibrahim did not return to the game after suffering a left leg injury near the end of the third quarter. Twitter’s <a href="https://twitter.com/ProFootballDoc"><strong>Pro Football Doc</strong></a>diagnosed him with a ruptured Achilles tendon, which would mean that his season is over and the Gophers’ running back stable loses its prized stallion. Ibrahim was last seen walking to the locker room with a boot on his left foot in the fourth quarter, and P.J. Fleck declined to get into specifics in his postgame press conference, as per usual. Before he left the game, Ibrahim looked the part of the reigning Big Ten Running Back of the Year, rushing for 162 yards and two touchdowns.</p></blockquote>
<p id="DcPGCM"><strong>Friday</strong></p>
<p id="7aDcQU"><strong>Michigan State 38, Northwestern 21</strong></p>
<p id="ya12IF">Sparty laid it on the Wildcats with a 75 yard TD run on the first play and <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com/2021/9/4/22656712/spartans-outrun-wildcats-38-21-in-season-opener-game-recap">never looked back</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="Vv0m8W">The Spartans rode <a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com/"><strong>Wake Forest</strong></a> transfer Kenneth Walker III roughshod over the Wildcats, as he became the first Spartan since Le’Veon Bell to rush for more than 200 yards in a game (264 total on 23 attempts), and the first Spartan to score four rushing touchdowns since Edwin Baker in 2010.</p></blockquote>
<p id="Fdl47s">The Wildcats had a very disappointing opener after <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/2021/9/4/22656895/defensive-miscues-all-around-slopiness-ravage-northwestern-in-opening-loss-to-michigan-state">winning the West a season ago</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="dMhKxV">Perhaps it was the fact that it was their first game under new defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil. Or maybe tackling just wasn’t practiced enough in the days leading up to Northwestern’s matchup with the Spartans. Whatever the reasoning may be, the fact of the matter remains that the Wildcats’ defense, one so often praised for its “bend, don’t break” style of play under former defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz, played sloppy.</p></blockquote>
<p id="k4Kgef"><strong>Saturday</strong></p>
<p id="wdA8Ux"><strong>Maryland 30, West Virginia 24</strong></p>
<p id="fekWFD">An impressive opening for the Terps, as they scored <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com/2021/9/4/22657325/maryland-football-west-virginia-season-opener-three-things-to-know-big-ten-big-12">a mild upset here</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="oErAoV">Maryland football was up 23-21 with about eight minutes to go in the game against West Virginia. The Mountaineers were lined up in the endzone primed to take away the lead late in the game but as quarterback Jarret Doege sailed the ball into the endzone, Maryland defensive back Jakorian Bennett jumped up and intercepted the ball giving the Terps possession while still ahead. </p>
<p id="XpZYbl">Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa then inched the team down the field 20 yards in four plays to Maryland’s 40-yard line. On third down with five yards to go, Tagovailoa stepped back and launched a pass to his left where wide receiver Rakim Jarret caught the ball and raced into the endzone for a 60-yard touchdown to extend Maryland’s lead to 30-21.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="MsDeGH"><strong>Nebraska 52, Fordham 7</strong></p>
<p id="am6xfw">Happy <a href="https://www.cornnation.com/2021/9/4/22657459/instant-reaction-nebraska-beats-fordham-52-7">Scott Frost Day</a>!</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="9WIS6o">It started out terrible, but ended up not too bad. </p>
<p id="OlMM77">Here’s my instant reaction to Nebraska’s 52-7 win over Fordham.</p>
<p id="ytDuo2">It was a terrible start to the game. Our beloved Huskers looked flat and uninterested.</p>
<p id="LMthWP">Nebraska fumbled. Had to punt. Fordham scored. Then things changed. </p>
<p id="NMWksW">Adrian Martinez became an accurate quarterback that made good decisions. Other guys came to play - guys like Markese Stepp, Samori Toure, Austin Allen, and Omar Manning.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="lopbAp"><strong>Rutgers 61, Temple 14</strong></p>
<p id="0qoHYr">The Scarlet Knights had to wait a few extra days due to flooding, <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2021/9/4/22657314/rutgers-defense-dominates-temple-in-61-14-victory-olakunle-fatukasi-kyle-monangai-aron-cruickshank">but started the year off right</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="bI23k7">In the first home game played in front of fans in two years, Rutgers came through with a dominant 61-14 victory over Temple on Saturday. The offense struggled early on, but overall the Scarlet Knights played clean football and physically dominated its opponent. RU forced the Owls into many more miscues on the day including five turnovers and was able to capitalize throughout the game. Special teams play was excellent as well.</p></blockquote>
<p id="2DKlLe"><strong>Michigan 47, Western Michigan 14</strong></p>
<p id="dprVBx">The Wolverines gave up a first drive touchdown, then wiped the <a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com/2021/9/4/22657703/michigan-football-western-michigan-analysis-reaction-podcast">blood off their lips and dominated</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="riVVbp">Positives addressed include the rushing attack’s quick start to the season, an efficient display from the quarterback position and adjustments (!!!) made on the defensive side of the ball. From a negative standpoint, Ronnie Bell’s injury looms large, and there’s still a major question about Josh Gattis. Will Michigan learn a critical lesson from last year? </p></blockquote>
<p id="bbiotd"><strong>Iowa 34, Indiana 6</strong></p>
<p id="L17pFA">So much for Indiana being a <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2021/9/4/22657616/ball-hawkin-iowa-hawkeyes-football-xx-indiana-hoosiers-xx-tyler-goodson-riley-moss-kirk-ferentz-bhgp">legitimate threat to win the East</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="9PiH3B">On the Hawkeyes first drive, Tyler Goodson took a bread-and-butter zone run to the boundary 56 yards before 2 minutes elapsed from the clock. On the ensuing Hoosier possession, Riley Moss had his first of two pick-sixes (picks-six). The 14-0 lead set the tone for the rest of the game as Iowa never really had to dip an inch into the ocean of their playbook and the defense wreaked its usual havoc on the Hoosier offense.</p></blockquote>
<p id="bIi4XI">Crimson Quarry has not published an article since August 30.</p>
<p id="FGIHr0"><strong>Penn State 16, Wisconsin 10</strong></p>
<p id="Rp6Lgq">It was scoreless at halftime, but the Nittany Lions <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2021/9/4/22656626/gritty-penn-state-football-16-wisconsin-10-bsd">had enough defense in the end</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="nhiqVs">The first half, in a word, was ugly. Neither Penn State nor Wisconsin could generate points, sending us into the break with a B1G-centric 0-0 score. The Nittany Lions in particular looked dreadful offensively, only mustering up one first down through the first 30 minutes. Who was to blame? Everyone. Everyone was to blame. The offensive line struggled. Clifford looked so-so at best. Mike Yurcich made some uninspiring calls. Other than not turning the ball over, the Penn State offense did nothing positive.</p></blockquote>
<p id="k0yzt4">Bucky’s 5<sup>th</sup> Quarter knows that the Badgers <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2021/9/4/22657635/game-notes-no-19-penn-state-nittany-lions-16-no-12-wisconsin-badgers-10-big-ten-football">have a lot to work on offensively</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="XhuEKf">QB Graham Mertz on moving on from the loss.</p>
<p id="Og0LqK">“It’s my job, it’s what I have to do. For me, I wouldn’t say ‘flush,’ (forget about the game) I gotta learn from it,” said Mertz. “Tomorrow morning, or tonight hop on and watch the tape, take out my key points that I have to get better at, what I need to do to help this team win. I just gotta learn and grow, it’s the biggest thing.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="sg1MpT"><strong>Texas-San Antonio 37, Illinois 30</strong></p>
<p id="XtTpck">A week after knocking off Nebraska Illinois lost to a program that <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2021/9/4/22657682/illinois-fighting-illini-football-utsa-texas-san-antonio-roadrunners-bret-bielema-artur-sitkowski">didn’t exist a decade ago</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="qqWC2j">With a chance to tie the game late, Artur Sitkowski and the Illini couldn’t march down the field to punch in the tying score. A Hail Mary heave as time expired was hauled in but out of bounds. </p>
<p id="e3ZdHA">A disappointing end to a disappointing game for Illinois.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="eGq0j8"><strong>Purdue 30, Oregon State 21</strong></p>
<p id="0CTx1L">Our friends at Building the Dam<a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com/2021/9/4/22657853/purdue-football-outlasts-oregon-state-30-21"> still saw some positives</a>:</p>
<p id="b6yfXp">It sure was fun to watch college football again, despite the result. The defensive improvements look real and Chance Nolan gave the offense a much needed spark in the 4th quarter. Oregon State will look to re-group next week against Hawaii and get in the win column.</p>
<p id="qccTBH"><strong>Non-Conference Opponents:</strong></p>
<p id="JKHBy8"><strong>Notre Dame vs. Florida State - </strong>Played later today</p>
<p id="aQjGfd"><strong>Holy Cross 38, Connecticut 28 - </strong><a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com/2021/9/4/22657361/final-score-uconn-huskies-flops-against-holy-cross-at-home-38-28">The Huskies lost at home by double digits to an FCS team</a>. Yikes. </p>
<p id="ZM7gpN"></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/5/22657723/week-1-big-ten-football-recapBoilerTMill2021-09-05T10:00:37-04:002021-09-05T10:00:37-04:00Purdue 30, Oregon State 21: In Tweets
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<img alt="Oregon State v Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C_ntiNos-FiOySjOCr5HavW8tkk=/0x0:5952x3968/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69819322/1235060206.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Purdue won! An Opener! With fans and everything,</p> <p id="ESK076">Last night was an immense amount of fun. Finally, we got to go to a near sold out home sporting event and enjoy being part of the crowd. The night game atmosphere, the band, etc. It was just great to experience college football in person again. I spent the first half up in the media center behind the glass and the crowd roar permitted through it before the game. In the second half I was down in Shively and it was great to be a fan in person again too. </p>
<p id="ht19vo">Bonus: Purdue won the game!</p>
<p id="hUFXfp">Doing the Sunday morning In Tweets column is one of my favorite columns to post each week, mostly because it grow organically from the day before due to following game on Twitter. It is a chance to catch live reactions in the moment. It also brings int he fans watching at home with those in the stands. Here is what the crowd had to say last night:</p>
<div id="PuGAnl">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Found a friendly face in West Lafayette! Bebes Episode 11 Guest of Honor <a href="https://twitter.com/JustTMill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustTMill</a> of <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HammerAndRails</a>! Thanks for the beer, Travis, but <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBeavs?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBeavs</a>! <a href="https://t.co/siG1Rgx5UD">pic.twitter.com/siG1Rgx5UD</a></p>— Belligerent Beavs (@BelligeBeavs) <a href="https://twitter.com/BelligeBeavs/status/1434290438891003906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="KVai0S">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the record, I went to Purdue. <a href="https://t.co/jU79hRVqhB">pic.twitter.com/jU79hRVqhB</a></p>— Megan Gailey (@megangailey) <a href="https://twitter.com/megangailey/status/1434256170877816836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="BCPnJ3">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I sit in 113, and im surrounded by Purdue students who couldn’t fit in their section</p>— Morgan Underhill (@Mohill93) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mohill93/status/1434293833941098497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="URmtMF">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a sight! Love <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Boilermaker?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Boilermaker</a> fans! 0 bandwagon fans!!!!! <a href="https://t.co/nWQinQwu6K">pic.twitter.com/nWQinQwu6K</a></p>— Doug Griffiths (@DougGriffMAX983) <a href="https://twitter.com/DougGriffMAX983/status/1434303876375711751?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="Po3mqz">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You know it's a bad call when the special teams coach is going off on an uncalled PI penalty. <a href="https://t.co/8K9Axc3L0S">pic.twitter.com/8K9Axc3L0S</a></p>— Dustin Blythe Ⓥ (@Dustin_Blythe) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dustin_Blythe/status/1434302094715105281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="5mbHgT">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’m just going to say it. I thought that was PI and I feel like 10% bad <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HammerAndRails</a></p>— Building The Dam (@BuildingTheDam) <a href="https://twitter.com/BuildingTheDam/status/1434300558903431169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="iqEetx">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Which team is Purdue??? The one that goes run, run, pass 3 and out or the one with the trick plays?!?!?</p>— Brad Ebann (@BradEbann) <a href="https://twitter.com/BradEbann/status/1434297242094034946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a>
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<div id="Cn32yw">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the first time this season, <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoilerFootball</a> meets the end zone! <a href="https://t.co/qH0ijdzuXf">pic.twitter.com/qH0ijdzuXf</a></p>— Purdue On BTN (@PurdueOnBTN) <a href="https://twitter.com/PurdueOnBTN/status/1434309461523451904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="NknQbr">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">There's a sexual joke to be made about Karlaftis destroying Beavers tonight.<br><br>I'll let <a href="https://twitter.com/JustTMill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustTMill</a> handle that one.</p>— Dr. J ⛅ (@Air_Force_Juan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Air_Force_Juan/status/1434314415692677123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="0DYswF">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trick play Purdue is so much more fun that regular Purdue</p>— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SchutteCFB/status/1434310700864872449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="mbKZw9">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">None of this is necessary and it is awesome <a href="https://t.co/PdzxeSwwXt">https://t.co/PdzxeSwwXt</a></p>— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/status/1434328526061248512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="mkwuFk">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">*IF* Purdue can hold off Oregon State, it will be their first-ever night game win at Ross-Ade against a team NOT from Ohio.<br><br>Only Ross-Ade night game wins (6pm or later kickoff):<br>-Toledo (1994)<br>-Ohio (2017)<br>-Ohio State (2018)</p>— Dr. J ⛅ (@Air_Force_Juan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Air_Force_Juan/status/1434334793462792197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="Woq6AJ">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Um. Is that Oregon math or something? <a href="https://t.co/MIVK0qB1Tp">pic.twitter.com/MIVK0qB1Tp</a></p>— Paul (@BoilerPaulie) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerPaulie/status/1434338217562619908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="klv1Ug">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If this score holds, he gets game ball. Period.</p>— Michael Pryor (@MikeRossPryor) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeRossPryor/status/1434340459145572352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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<div id="bMWiwo">
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Purdue beat OSU in West Lafayette, who couldn’t have seen that coming</p>— Ramzy Nasrallah (@ramzy) <a href="https://twitter.com/ramzy/status/1434348210462597124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 5, 2021</a>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/5/22658378/purdue-30-oregon-state-21-twitter-recapBoilerTMill2021-09-05T01:21:23-04:002021-09-05T01:21:23-04:00Purdue 30, Oregon State 21: Step 1 Complete
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<img alt="Oregon State v Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1CyjQ8J78GJKkSe2EngNIUoo5rA=/0x0:3285x2190/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69818767/1235060794.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The momentum meter edges to positive. </p> <p id="K1eZIj">The goal this season is for Purdue to reach a bowl game. It is not the Indiana mantra of “Play 13” from 2007, but a return to positive momentum after two down years is needed. After a pair of down seasons though, many were doubting Purdue could do that this year. Tonight wasn’t pretty. The Boilers left some points on the field with some mistakes, but it was hard to see a path to the postseason without a victory over the Beavers.</p>
<p id="H5ZBqc">Consider that first step complete. </p>
<p id="soac3C">A ton of credit in this one goes to the defense. In fact, I would give most of this win to the D. Aside from he second drive of the game, where <a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com">Oregon State</a> used a trick play and a few big gains to go 64 yards in just three plays to score on a B.J. Baylor run, Purdue’s defense did a fantastic job. </p>
<p id="KAv63d">Jalen Graham had a few big hits and finished the game with six tackles and a sack. Cam Allen got a huge interception just before halftime to set up a field goal. George Karlaftis didn’t get a sack, but he made Oregon State’s quarterback run for his life on multiple plays. Cory Trice had a critical pass break up on fourth down with Purdue clinging to a two point lead that led to an eventual touchdown. </p>
<p id="Qt4xCm">Overall Purdue held the Beavers to 5 of 15 on third downs, stopped three of 4th down attempts (two in HUGE situations), and generally kept the game in control while the offense struggled. Given the questions we had and the issues with getting off the field last year, I will take it. There were three first half three-and-outs, and that is as good as a turnover each time. </p>
<p id="pgkYAp">Offensively... there were issues. The final touchdown to Payne Durham that clinched the game was beautiful. Purdue only needed a first down and ran a beautiful fake for a wide open 50 yard score. It was great to see Brohm go for the jugular there, and Vegas loved it too since Purdue was a 7 point favorite. </p>
<p id="6UdfbV">Unfortunately I think Purdue left at least 10 points on the field:</p>
<ul>
<li id="W9IEQU">The unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the sidelines (I was told upstairs it was on special teams coach Marty Biagi), pushed Purdue out of field goal range early and cost us 3 points. Now Jack Ansell’s beautiful punt downed at the one, the following three and out, and short field as a result led to the first touchdown, but still. </li>
<li id="M3lKpd">Purdue lost another three points on the fake field goal that resulted in Jack Albers throwing an interception. It was a well designed play with the pick resulting from the receiver bobbling the ball, but still. It seemed a little odd when an easy field goal makes it a two possession game at the time. </li>
<li id="o3PUMs">A pitch to King Doerue was fumbled in the red zone on a play where Doerue likely scores if it is clean. Purdue settled for a field goal. </li>
</ul>
<p id="dOUF6l">They were the type of mistakes that in another game could be very costly, but Purdue survived them. i think that is key, too. The defense was light years better, holding Oregon State to 7 points through three quarters. It was good enough that the offense did not have to be perfect in order to win. For us, holding a team to 3.1 yards per carry is gigantic. </p>
<p id="LKcqpw">Let’s also give credit to the special teams, which were MUCH better. Chris Van Eekeren boomed kickoffs out of the end zone, Mitchell Fineran was 3 for 3 on field goals, and Jack Ansell was effective punting it. </p>
<p id="aoPbI7">There were still positives offensively. David Bell was David Bell with 8 catches for 134 yards. He didn’t score, but his first down reception on 1st and 15 on Purdue’s final TD drive took a ton of pressure off the offense with a two point lead. Durham scored twice and had 120 yards on seven catches. Zander Horvath ran for 81 yards and a score. Dylan Downing and King Doerue didn’t do much, but Downing’s first carry as a Boiler did go for a first down. Finally, Jack Plummer threw for over 300 yards, was only sacked once, and had no picks. </p>
<p id="A7OoFL">It wasn’t the prettiest win, but it was a multi-score victory over a power 5 opponent to start the season and Purdue covered the spread. I will take it. </p>
<p id="QXtbx3">Now we get a game that, for all intents and purposes, should be a layup. <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UConn</a> lost by 10 today to a Patriot League team. There is absolutely no valid excuse to lose next week. </p>
<p id="SoCzwS">One down, five to go. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/5/22657978/purdue-30-oregon-state-21-final-score-recapBoilerTMill2021-09-04T23:13:27-04:002021-09-04T23:13:27-04:00Purdue 30 -Oregon State 21 - VICTORY
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Oregon State at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/sniiREmk-g6aJj_mLbIxjrA5lac=/0x0:2964x1976/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69818556/usa_today_16691129.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="8AggQb">At one point in the second half a stat showed up on the screen stating that Purdue had lost 15 one possessions games since 2017. Of course Purdue was up by just one possession at the time so you know that every Purdue fan was slightly terrified. It’s a game we’ve seen play out far too many times to ever truly be comfortable. After changing QBs late in the third quarter the Oregon State offense came alive and was giving Purdue fits. Then entered Cory Trice. <br><br>On a 4th and 1 Oregon State tried to go for it all but Trice followed his man step for step and put his arm up to deflect the ball and watch it fall harmlessly to the turf. Purdue took over at that point and Jack Plummer and Payne Durham played some pitch and catch to result in a rather fast touchdown. This was seemingly enough to end the game. But as Lee Corso is fond of saying “not so fast my friend!” Instead Oregon State drove the length of the field in seemingly the blink of an eye and connected on the extra point to pull within 2 points. It was deja vu all over again. </p>
<p id="a0WJjK"><br>‘The next possession started off on a great note for Purdue as they achieved the unthinkable, a delay of game at home after receiving a kickoff. You don’t see that one very often. After that though Durham and Plummer continued their game of pitch and catch, Purdue put 7 more on the board and the game was over. Oregon State tried to convert another drive but the same wide receiver kept deciding he could run out of bounds and just hop back in with no consequence. It didn’t work. Purdue found a way to get the ball back and after some kneel downs Purdue walked away with a victory. </p>
<p id="ato03s"><br>You can’t win them all if you don’t win the first one. Purdue is 1-0 and faces UCONN next. Look for much more on this game later tonight. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/4/22657886/purdue-30-oregon-state-21-victoryjumboheroes2021-09-04T17:00:00-04:002021-09-04T17:00:00-04:00Oregon State at Purdue: GameThread & How to Watch
<figure>
<img alt="Ohio v Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I15GVn8gbMnm0Aocblonsdw5Ado=/0x0:4896x3264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69817852/844468382.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ross-Ade Stadium with fans? It will never take off.</p> <p id="cvKIjt">As you read these words I ams sitting in the press box of Ross-Ade Stadium for its 500th game. That was supposed to happen last year, but (Gestures wildly at everything). We might be a year late for this, but it is good to be here with 50,000 of our friends in the venerable 97 years young stadium. Let’s put aside the concerns for the 2021 season for a moment and just enjoy that football is back, and we can go to games this year. </p>
<p id="sMoKVt">Now beat the Beavers. </p>
<p id="Nb1TGM"><strong>Opponent: </strong><a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com">Oregon State Beavers</a></p>
<p id="Fmokf9"><strong>Current Record: </strong>0-0</p>
<p id="ts6eTq"><strong>Stadium: </strong>Ross-Ade Stadium</p>
<p id="3k3gK7"><strong>Tickets: </strong>Stubhub, $15 at lowest </p>
<p id="pitB6C"><strong>Kickoff Time: </strong>7:00 PM</p>
<p id="2a5jDh"><strong>TV: </strong>FS1</p>
<p id="qgdzHb"><strong>Online Streaming: </strong><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fubo.tv%2Fwelcome%3Firad%3D343747%26irmp%3D482924%26subId1%3DHammer%2520and%2520Rails%26subId2%3DCollege%26subId3%3D083121%26sharedid%3DSBNation&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hammerandrails.com%2F2021%2F9%2F4%2F22650049%2Foregon-state-purdue-gamethread-how-to-watch" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Fox Sports </a></p>
<p id="vgCwnR"><strong>Odds: </strong>Purdue, -6.5</p>
<p id="249qWG"><strong>All-Time Series: </strong>Oregon State, 1-0 </p>
<p id="HryGxA"><strong>Last Purdue Win: </strong>Never</p>
<p id="RYO16d"><strong>Last Oregon State: </strong>10/21/1967, 22 to 14</p>
<p id="bXDfQ7"><strong>SB Nation Blog Representation: </strong><a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com/"><strong>Building the Dam </strong></a></p>
<p id="NhMsrf"><strong>Weather Forecast: </strong>75 degrees, sunny </p>
<p id="Sq5vW1"><strong>2020 Oregon State Record: </strong>2-5</p>
<p id="wR3MlO"><strong>2020 Purdue Record: </strong>2-4</p>
<p id="1xWqPD"><strong>Coach: </strong>Jonathan Smith, 4th year</p>
<p id="u4wDtt"></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/4/22650049/oregon-state-purdue-gamethread-how-to-watchBoilerTMill2021-09-03T14:00:00-04:002021-09-03T14:00:00-04:00Friday Drankin’: Block 15 Brewing
<figure>
<img alt="Syndication: Salem" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uaCAz35VnUPg5PA1CouD6gglwrQ=/228x0:1371x762/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69814462/usa_today_13430320.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hopstories, Salem Statesman Journal via Imagn Content Services, LLC</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We’re here for beer.</p> <p id="Yv7QID">The return of football means the return of one of my favorite columns… FRIDAY DRANKIN’! tomorrow night I will be parked somewhere in the H Lot with a cooler full of beer. My old Hillenbrand roommate is expected to stop by, as well as some podcasters for <a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com">Oregon State</a> that had me on their show last week. It is good to feel alive again. </p>
<p id="zRIgVP">As usual, Friday Drankin’ focuses on a microbrewery in the city of our opponent. We’re starting to run out of places for our Big Ten West brethren and Indiana, but non-conference games open the door for new avenues. At the suggestion of the <a href="https://www.belligerentbeavs.com/">Belligerent Beavs podcast,</a> I have selected Block 15 Brewing in Corvallis.</p>
<p id="DnUs6T"><a href="http://block15.com/"><strong>Block 15 Brewing</strong></a></p>
<p id="zJyAdz"><strong>300 SW Jefferson Ave.</strong></p>
<p id="BmeEMw"><strong>Corvallis, OR 97333 </strong></p>
<p id="F5reu4">I have only been to Oregon once, way back in 1995, and I was nowhere near Corvallis at the time, but it seems like Block 15 is a “bookmark for Purdue’s return trip in 2024. They boast that they are hop-forward, but they also have a wide variety of wild & sour ales. They have been open since 2008 and now have three locations. </p>
<p id="56Gkos"><strong>Stucky Hands IPA – 8.1% ABV – </strong>This was the strongest recommendation from the Belligerent Beavs guys. It is described as, “this Hop Experience Ale features ample additions of sticky, lupulin-packed hops, grown in the Pacific Northwest. The result is an aromatic blast of citrus, tropical fruit, and dank herb that transitions into resinous hop flavor and a delightfully balanced finish.</p>
<p id="HbzyGb"><strong>Ridgeback Red – 5.5% ABV – N</strong>ot enough breweries make crisp red ales, which is one of my favorite styles. Ridgeback Red offers a balanced blend of rustic malt character and NW hops. Brewed with Vienna, Munich, and Crystal malts, it offers grist notes of caramel and toasted nuts that subtly transition into layers of piney and citrusy hop flavor.</p>
<p id="b9NDDE"><strong>Wandlepad – 6.5% ABV – </strong>This is listed on their seasonals and specialties, but Belgians are good because they pack a punch without the “shotgun full of hops to the face” of IPAs. Inspired by one of the finest Trappist beers we sampled in our travels through Belgium, this blonde ale was brewed with imported Belgian malts, Oregon-grown hops, and Trappist yeast. Crisp, complex, and refreshing, the result is a classic Belgian balance of fruity esters, rustic grist character, and a zesty hop finish.</p>
<p id="28BOik"><strong>Joy – 5.6% ABV - </strong>Joy blends a pillowy-soft malt profile with a trifecta of tropical, citrus, and orchard fruit hop character. This nuanced, modern-day pale ale is brewed often, canned fresh, and designed to be enjoyed year-round. Drink your Joy!</p>
<p id="QYVfQa">Block 15 looks like they have a lot of IPAs even under their specialties, so it is the perfect place if that is your thing. They have a couple of other styles, including an English Porter on their specialties page that looks very interesting. Check them out!</p>
<p id="i2gBMr"></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/3/22654104/block-15-brewing-football-beerBoilerTMill2021-09-03T12:40:08-04:002021-09-03T12:40:08-04:00Purdue Football: Oregon State Defense By the Numbers
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Washington at Oregon State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BN8pWGPnQri13cpz4ySoKULwjqQ=/0x0:2664x1776/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69814093/usa_today_13638614.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Oregon State is running it back with their 2020 scheme, Purdue will have and entirely new look.</p> <p id="n98j92">In 2020, defense didn’t live in Corvallis or West Lafayette. In terms of quantity of defense played, both teams excelled, unfortunately, good defenses trend towards quality of the defense played over quantity of defense played. Much like my “<a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/2/22654451/purdue-football-oregon-state-offense-by-the-numbers">Offense by the Numbers</a>” article, I’m going to hit you with a bunch of 2020 stats. If you’re not interested in the scroll on down the bottom for my take away from the stats.</p>
<h2 id="kDTVId">
<a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com"><strong>Oregon State</strong></a><strong> 2020 - Defensive Coordinator</strong>
</h2>
<p id="rBiAPo">Oregon State is in the middle of attempting a rebuild with Coach Smith, and decided to run it back with Tim Tibesar, even after a lack luster 2020 for the Beaver defense. Tibesar is a name that should be familiar with Purdue fans after his one year stint as the defensive coordinator with the Boilermakers in 2012. In a funny side note, when asked about Oregon State’s defense, Jeff Brohm repeatedly brought up Tibesar’s time as the outside linebackers coach at Wisconsin, without mentioning the fact that he was a former defensive coordinator at Purdue. I’m not sure Jeff has studied much late Danny Hope era Purdue film, and I don’t blame him.</p>
<p id="fV4y9K">Tibesar is a grizzled veteran in the coaching profession. He’s been a defensive coordinator at an FCS school, multiple FCS schools, he’s coordinated a defense in the Canadian Football League, and been a position coach at an FCS school and the NFL. His tenure at Oregon State started in 2018, and is still a work in progress, but Coach Smith must like the direction the defense is heading to keep him on after a rough 2020. To be fair to Tibesar, the talent level at Oregon State was abysmal when he arrived, making it hard to evaluate his overall performance.</p>
<p id="1h0LxY">He employs the same shifting, odd man front, linebacker heavy defense he utilized at Purdue. While not the defensive coordinator during his 2015-2017 stint at Wisconsin, he coached linebackers for a Wisconsin defense that also regularly utilizes odd man fronts as well. New Purdue...uhm...co defensive coordinator (?) Brad Lambert used similar fronts during his time at Marshall, and I expect to see some of the same concepts utilized this year at Purdue.</p>
<h2 id="yvN171"><strong>2020 Oregon State Defense vs Purdue Defense</strong></h2>
<p id="lZhT0M">*All Rankings are 2020 National Rankings</p>
<h2 id="A93iRC"><strong>Scoring Defense (Points Per Game)</strong></h2>
<p id="nfajcF"><strong>Oregon State -</strong> 33.29 (93rd)</p>
<p id="r3WJIn"><strong>Purdue - </strong>29.83 (67th)</p>
<p id="3q687j">I’m going to start this out with a bit of a controversial statement. In terms of points allowed, Purdue’s defense was slightly below average. It’s convenient to blame the Purdue defense for all the issues last season, but in terms of national rankings, the offense (73rd) was worse than the defense. Considering the defense was without George Karlaftis much of the season, I’m not sure how much better, in terms of scoring defense, they could have been. At the same time, it wasn’t so much that defense was “bad” (again, pretty much average in terms of national rankings) but how it was bad, that caused the problems.</p>
<p id="cPC5GB">Oregon State, on the other hand, was bad...like real bad. They consistently gave up points. It’s not a couple of blow outs skewing the numbers, they were bad in every game. Their best defensive performance was giving up 27 points against Washington, California, and Stanford. Their worst was giving up 46 points to <a href="https://www.houseofsparky.com">Arizona State</a>. </p>
<p id="qwf40n">Purdue was significantly better, especially when at full strength. Their best defensive performance was in the opener, holding Iowa to 20 points. Their worst two performances occurred in the last two games, giving up 37 points to both <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com">Rutgers</a> and Nebraska.</p>
<h2 id="VpdPZK"><strong>Total Defense (Yards Per Game)</strong></h2>
<p id="py4rmD"><strong>Oregon State -</strong> 442.3 (95th)</p>
<p id="i6Cioo"><strong>Purdue - </strong>399 (56th)</p>
<p id="mLnhj8">Again, Purdue wasn’t terrible in total defense last season. In fact, they were slightly above average in terms of national rankings.</p>
<p id="WB1Uxc">Oregon State was abysmal, getting gashed by pretty much every team on their schedule. </p>
<h2 id="dy3uCQ"><strong>3rd Down Defense</strong></h2>
<p id="7P2zBZ"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>46.7% (106th)</p>
<p id="ozjqLU"><strong>Purdue - </strong>43.7% (93rd)</p>
<p id="NzJnKD">This is where Purdue was bad last year. I tried to tell y’all that Brohm brought in a classic “bend, don’t break” defense, and it looked exactly like I expected. Diaco played the same soft zone he utilized his entire coaching career. Purdue was bad on 3rd down, but some of that was by design. Coach Brohm spent the 2020 offseason talking about not giving up the big play, and the way you avoid giving up the big play is playing 2 deep safeties over the top with a soft zone underneath. That’s what happened. It was frustrating to watch, but it’s what he ordered.</p>
<p id="HinGdi">Purdue struggled with their 3rd down defense, because their scheme was designed to struggle with 3rd down defense. Oregon State didn’t have the same schematic issues, they simply weren’t any good. They tried to get off the field, but couldn’t achieve that goal. Teams often found themselves in 3rd and short because the Beavers gave up 5+ yards a carry.</p>
<h2 id="q03i4P"><strong>Rushing Defense (Yards Per Game)</strong></h2>
<p id="HG0VOt"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>217.6 (110)</p>
<p id="MXLRTB"><strong>Purdue - </strong>144.8 (44th)</p>
<p id="Tcs2od">These numbers are a bit deceiving. Purdue was decent in rushing yards per game because their pass defense was softer than newborn baby poop. They invited teams to throw the ball, and teams threw the ball at will. They focused on holding the line of scrimmage and closing run gaps instead of getting the backfield and causing trouble for the quarterback. If you play run defense 95% of the time, you’re usually decent at stopping the run.</p>
<p id="9gopkK">Oregon State was putrid in run defense. All but 2 teams on their schedule rushed for over 200 yards. They deployed significant resources in an attempt to stop the run, but still couldn’t get the job done. Their defensive line was particularly terrible.</p>
<h2 id="HZ8pJM"><strong>Yards Per Rush</strong></h2>
<p id="peSOZu"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>5.56</p>
<p id="WXKWqQ"><strong>Purdue - </strong>3.43</p>
<p id="cjUiO0">The data base I’m using doesn’t provide national rankings for yards per rush, but 3.43 isn’t bad at all. Most teams on the first page of stats (teams 1-50 in rushing defense) gave up something similar. In fact, Purdue comes in on the lower end of the average. Indiana had the 34th ranked run defense, but gave up 4.03 yards per rush. Northwestern had the 46th best run defense and gave up 4.45 yards per rush. I know it didn’t feel like it, but Purdue’s run defense was solid last season.</p>
<p id="9tZDC4">Oregon State wasn’t not solid. They were the opposite of solid (can a defense be considered a gas?). 26 out of 127 teams gave up more than 5 yards a carry last season. On the last page of rush defense (101-127) only 10 allowed more than the Beavers.</p>
<h2 id="XFX9Ow"><strong>Passing Defense (Yards Per Game)</strong></h2>
<p id="PlCESW"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>224.7 (55th)</p>
<p id="nJpS7F"><strong>Purdue - </strong>254.2 (94th)</p>
<p id="c9D3hC">Here we see the inverse. It’s not that Oregon State’s pass defense was great, but their run defense was so porous that throwing the ball against them was an unwarranted risk in most games.</p>
<p id="9rER2l">Purdue played one of the most predictable, soft zone defense I’ve seen college football, and one of the worst passing defenses in the nation was the result. Running the ball against Purdue was silly because they didn’t rush the passer, and didn’t particularly try and stop receivers from getting open.</p>
<h2 id="b3WcbS"><strong>Yards Allowed Per Completion</strong></h2>
<p id="s0BeiD"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>12.29</p>
<p id="5Jh469"><strong>Purdue - </strong>12.97</p>
<p id="UMbPEu">This stat also didn’t bode well for the Diaco led defense last season. Not only were they giving up a ton of completions, those completions were averaging close to 13 yards a catch. Teams didn’t have much success throwing the ball over the defense, but there was so much room in front of the defense, that it didn’t matter.</p>
<p id="EsflRE">Oregon State gave up fewer completions, mainly because they couldn’t stop the run, but still gave up 12 yards a completion. When teams got bored of running the ball against the Beavers, they didn’t find passing that much more difficult.</p>
<h2 id="k49Go6"><strong>Sacks (Per Game)</strong></h2>
<p id="sdsSVE"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>1 (120th)</p>
<p id="gId7Zy"><strong>Purdue - </strong>.83 (123rd)</p>
<p id="nn50g4">Not a great look for either team, as both were at the bottom of the NCAA in getting pressure on the quarterback. For Purdue, it was by design. The defense last year wasn’t much different than any other Bob Diaco defense in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback. Again, for better (or usually worse) the defense Purdue bought, was the defense they received last year.</p>
<p id="DFRlMT">The Oregon State defense has been more aggressive in the past, but last season, it was awful. At the same time, it’s hard to sack the quarterback when the other team is running the ball down your throat on seemingly every snap. The Beaver defensive line was non-existent in the run game and the pass rush game. Not a great combination if you plan on winning football games.</p>
<h2 id="g03c6H"><strong>Tackles for Loss (Per Game)</strong></h2>
<p id="24oCRO"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>3.9 (122nd)</p>
<p id="Lvg6oE"><strong>Purdue - </strong>5.5 (84th)</p>
<p id="Ky3Upa">Once again, this is on par with past Bob Diaco defenses. The defensive line focused on holding the line of scrimmage and closing run gaps. They did a good job of that, but that means they weren’t in the backfield putting the other team behind the chains. In my opinion, modern college defenses are at their best when they get the opposition off schedule in the run game, and then unleash their pass rush on 3rd and longs. Purdue rarely had a team in 3rd and long last year, and when they did, they tended to give up 8 yard stick routes for first downs to any team with that route in the playbook.</p>
<p id="1NKOdY">Oregon State may have been the least disruptive defense in the nation last year. They spent little to no time in the opponents backfield, and considered it a win when their defensive line only got pushed 3 yards off the line of scrimmage. It’s extremely hard to win football games when the other team is always on schedule, and if you played Oregon State, if they happened to get you into a 3rd down situation, it was usually 3rd and 3.</p>
<h2 id="lmhAyN"><strong>Red Zone Defense</strong></h2>
<p id="XKTH9e"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>89% (104)</p>
<p id="dQ2pBC"><strong>Purdue - </strong>81% (50)</p>
<p id="9OF7ME">Purdue’s red zone defense wasn’t terrible last year. They actually ended up slightly above average, which surprised me a little. The other team had the ball in the red zone 32 times against the Boilermakers, and came away with 12 rushing touchdowns, 7 passing touchdowns, and 7 field goals. That’s not awful. It’s not great, but it’s not awful. Unfortunately for Purdue and Bob Diaco, if you’re going to play “bend don’t break” defense, you need to be great in the red zone.</p>
<p id="hrlEB5">Once again, Oregon State was one of the worst teams in the nation in red zone defense. The opposition made it to the red zone 28 times against the Beavers and came away with 12 rushing touchdowns, 5 passing touchdowns, and 8 field goals. That’s almost identical to Purdue, in terms of points allowed, but Purdue managed to keep the other team from scoring a few more times.</p>
<h2 id="c1ptMk"><strong>Passes Per Interception</strong></h2>
<p id="WaomxQ"><strong>Oregon State - </strong>203 passes / 5 Int = 40.6</p>
<p id="QO1xGr"><strong>Purdue - </strong>192 passes / 3 Int = 64</p>
<p id="se17Ps">I had to come up with this stat. It’s not how the database I use calculates interceptions, but it’s an important factor in Bob Diaco no longer being the defensive coordinator at Purdue. His Louisiana Tech defense led the nation in interceptions. His Purdue defense was one of the worst. In theory, if you play zone, you can keep an eye on the quarterback, break on the ball and pick off passes. In practice, Purdue’s zone was too soft for the defensive backs to get to the ball, and on the rare occasion they did manage to get in front of a pass, the Boilermaker defensive backs showed why they play defense and not offense. There are passive defenses, and then there is Purdue’s 2020 defense, quite possibly the most passive defense I’ve seen deployed in modern football. </p>
<p id="MKK2Zy">So long Bob, I hope you’re investing your buyout wisely.</p>
<p id="fGpfMW">Oregon State was significantly more opportunistic than the Boilermakers. They picked the ball off at a decent clip, and they will need to continue that to have a shot on Saturday.</p>
<h2 id="psO3I1"><strong>My Take Away</strong></h2>
<p id="aPrlSa">Both teams struggled on defense last season. Purdue’s solution was to gut the entire staff and start again. Oregon State is banking on their players improving in the same system. Jeff Brohm bought a passive defense in 2020, and got it in spades. That gives me hope for 2021, because he’s been preaching aggression all off season. That means the Boilermakers will inevitably give up more big plays, but won’t die a death of 1,000 cuts while David Bell and company stretch on the sideline. As a Clemson far, I’ve watched Brent Venables deploy his, “get the defense off the field by any means necessary” attack to perfection over the last decade, and I hope to see a version of it this year with Purdue. It’s hard to draw many conclusions from the 2020 Boilermaker defense, because I expect to see an entirely new defense in 2021...and thank God.</p>
<p id="WC3xif">Oregon State, on the other hand, will deploy the same scheme that was gutted in every game in 2020. They’re hoping player development and added talent can pull them out of the suck that was last season. I’m not sure it works unless Purdue plays along. The Beavers best case scenario is Purdue abandoning the run and going exclusively with a passing attack. I also expect them to try and protect their defense by getting their run game working and eating clock. I don’t see them winning a shoot out with Purdue, and I don’t expect them to try unless they get down early.</p>
<p id="LFqHtd">If Purdue runs the ball against Oregon State, like they should, I don’t think the Beavers have much of a chance. If they abandon the run and throw the ball 50 times, I think Oregon State will be ecstatic.</p>
<p id="iY9QmN">I expect a more aggressive brand of defense from Purdue this season. I don’t think they’ll spend nearly as much time on the field as in 2020, but I’m not sold on the secondary being able to keep teams from torching their man coverage. I think Oregon State will hit a few big plays, but not enough big plays to win. </p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2021/9/3/22654743/purdue-football-oregon-state-defense-by-the-numbersDrew Schneider