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Gold and Black Radio: Purdue preparing for Cannon Trophy Game against Illinois

by: Dub Jellison2 hours agodubjellison
Screenshot 2025-09-30 at 11.47.10 AM


In our Sept. 30 edition, GoldandBlack.com’s Tom Dienhart and Dub Jellison plus host Derek Schultz look ahead at Purdue football’s matchup against Illinois on Saturday.

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The 3-2-1: Maturation of a QB, October possibilities, respect for Bret and more

1 – Maturation of Ryan Browne continues

This visit from Illinois on Saturday brings us full-circle to our first real introduction to Ryan Browne last season in Champaign. He was heroic in a 50-49 OT loss, flashing promising all-around ability in hitting 18-of-26 passes for 297 yards and three scores. He also led Purdue in rushing, carrying 17 times for 118 yards. The entire effort screamed “potential!”

“I’m sure glad he’s our quarterback,” said Barry Odom. “I think he’s a special player, and he’s gotten better every single week. I think watching the things that he needs to correct, he gets corrected. He’s so smart. He understands, he commands leadership of the offense. He’s a playmaker. He understands when there is a throw that he wished he had back, he understands the reasons why. I think he’s got a tremendous future and thrilled about the progress that he’s made.”

Browne is hitting 63 percent of his passes for 259 yards per game. One area to clean up? Interceptions. He’s thrown a pick in each of the last three games, five on the season.

But, hey, remember: He’s only started six games.

2 – Respect for Bret

Odom never has battled Illinois coach Bret Bielema as a head coach, but they’ve matched wits on opposite sidelines before. And, over time, they have forged a friendship.

“I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s he’s done a lot of great things for college football,” said Odom. “I respect the amount of years that he’s got, experience-wise, and the different roles, whether Wisconsin and Arkansas and Illinois. We’ve always stayed in touch … lot of respect for him. He’s a heck of a coach, and he’s really good man, and he’s good for college football.”

More: The 3-2-1: Maturation of a QB, October possibilities, respect for Bret and more

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