Express 10 Observations--Senior Day win

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart11/21/22

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Here is what has us talking after Purdue’s 17-9 win vs. Northwestern. The Boilermakers are 7-4 overall, 5-3 in the Big Ten. Purdue is at Indiana next week in the regular-season finale.

1 – It was Senior Day. But, just because a player “walks” in the ceremony, it doesn’t mean he won’t be back in 2023. Three players who walked and would seem to be locks to leave are CB Cory Trice, TE Payne Durham and S/LB Jalen Graham. Each could return, but the trio is believed to be the three top pro prospects on the team. Who else will be gone? And who could be back? Expect to know more after the season. Until then, Jeff Brohm wants to savor this victory. What did he learn?

“I kinda know that they have shown great fight and they’re good teammates to each other and they care about winning,” said Brohm. “Trust me, they cared about sending the seniors out on a good note and it meant a lot to them.”

2 – Aidan O’Connell has exhausted his eligibility, as he plays a sixth season. He is gone. And O’Connell’s final game in Ross-Ade was a mixed bag. He hit 16-of-25 passes for 159 yards with two TDs. It was the second time in three games O’Connell had under 200 yards passing (168 vs. Iowa). Both games had cold, windy conditions.

3 – This was the epitome of winning ugly on what was a cold gray November day.

“These guys have worked hard and they’ve put in a lot of time and effort,” said Brohm. “So, like everything, you want to try to play a perfect game. But that’s normally not going to happen when you’re playing tough opponents. The weather was not good, but they hung in there and got us a win.”

4 – RB Devin Mockobee carried five times for 18 yards on Purdue’s first series. Then, he left the game win injury. With Mockobee out, the offense turned to Dylan Downing and Kobe Lewis.

“Those guys work hard and they run hard,” said Brohm. “And we just got to continue to work with them. But they have given us great effort. They’ve been tremendous teammates. Got us some yards today. And we’re gonna need them for the remainder of the season.”

After the game, Brohm wasn’t sure the extent of Mockobee’s injury.

“Devin, unfortunately, went out early,” said Brohm. “I don’t know the status of him at this point.”

Downing finished with a team-high 49 yards rushing, while Lewis had 42. Purdue finished with 140 yards rushing.

5 – Northwestern’s top two quarterbacks were out, so the Wildcats turned to sophomore walk-on Cole Freeman. Predictably, he struggled.

Freeman hit only 9-of-20 passes for 78 yards with an interception. And, he was sacked twice. The last one was essentially a game-sealer by Purdue DE Jack Sullivan.

“Jack’s really played well this year for us,” said Brohm. “We’ve been able to spell him with other guys which has really helped our guys stay fresh. Like always, I think our our D-line, while we may not have George Karlaftis, we have a lot of guys that we can put in there that will play hard and continue to get better, that can make plays for us.”

NU finished with only 240 yards and had three turnovers.

6 – Jalen Graham was cruising to paydirt with a pick-six early in the second half. The problem? He began high-stepping at about the 30-yard line. That drew a penalty that wiped out the TD. Purdue retained possession but came up empty after a missed 47-yard field goal.

“We can’t have that happen, of course,” said Brohm. “We’ve got to put a stop to that. That’s hurt us the last two weeks. That’s a good play negated by something foolish. So, we’ve got to get that fixed and I think Jalen understands that. So, we’ll get that done.”

Graham led the team with seven tackles, along with Kieren Douglas and Kydran Jenkins.

“My hat’s off to Kieren,” said Brohm. “He’s injured and he wanted to give it a try with hardly any practice. And that’s how he’s been. He’s had some rough knees, even when he got here. But he’s played injured and he’s played tough and he’s a great leader for our team.

“(Jenkins) just plays hard. He’s given great effort since he’s been here, keeps his mouth quiet and goes to work every single day and continues to get better and helps us make plays.”

7 – This was Purdue’s first win in Ross-Ade Stadium vs. Northwestern since 2007, back when Joe Tiller was coach. The victory today ended a five-game winning streak in West Lafayette for the Wildcats.

• The 3-2-1: Purdue’s win over Northwestern

8 – It was cccccc-old. How cold? It was 29 degrees at kickoff. It was just the third time since 2008 Purdue has endured temps below 30 for a game in Ross-Ade. The others: 2008 vs IU, Joe Tiller’s last game, and 2013 vs Illinois. Temps at kickoff for those games was 27 degrees.

“The field was slippery,” said Brohm. “Couldn’t get much footing. It’s windy, so we’re not as precise on our passes. That affects the passing game. So, if you can’t do that, you got to be able to run the football. We were able to run the ball early and then sputtered there for a while in the third quarter.”

The third quarter was a slog that saw Purdue notch only 34 yards. It had only 100 yards in the second half and scored just three point after halftime. The Boilers finished with 299 for the game.

9 – In the second quarter, Purdue center Gus Hartwig left the game with a lower-body injury. Josh Kaltenberger took over. The loss of Hartwig chipped away at the depth of a thin o-line.

“Gus is going to be out for quite a while,” said Brohm. “That’s the way it looks. Was having a great year. … He had two broken hands this year, played with it. Never complained.”

Brohm was pleased with Kaltenberger.

“This past week, Gus was injured,” said Brohm. “He’s been here and he’s worked hard. And his strength is he’s a really good snapper, which is important.”

10 – Purdue took care of business today vs. Northwestern. Next up: Win at Indiana on Saturday. Do that, and the Boilermakers are guaranteed at least a share of the Big Ten West title for the first time in school annals. What would that mean to Brohm?

“It would be great, of course,” he said. “And anytime you’re able to finish the season off on a good note and find a way to beat a rival, it’s great.”

If Iowa loses today at Minnesota or vs. Nebraska next week in Iowa City, Purdue would go to the Big Ten title game.

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