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GoldandBlack.com Saturday Simulcast: Purdue-SIU wrapup

Karpick_headshot500x500by: Alan Karpick5 hours agoAlanKarpick
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GoldandBlack.com Saturday Simulcast following Purdue’s 34-17 win over Southern Illinois on Sept. 6, 2025 in Ross-Ade Stadium. Staffers Brian Neubert, Dub Jellison and Tom Dienhart share their thoughts (in that order) in the victory and look ahead to next week’s monumental challenge against USC.

Audio only

Purdue-SIU 3-2-1 excerpt

(From Brian Neubert’s column)

DEFENSE RESPONDS

In the grand scheme of things, was Purdue getting sucker-punched early by QB D.J. Williams’ dual threat potency the worst thing? It forced Purdue not just to adjust, but to respond to adversity for the first time this season. After allowing two quick touchdowns, the defense dominated thereafter, asserting itself physically, mixing up its coverages on third downs, establishing pressure on the quarterback and earning short-yardage stops.

SIU finished with 283 yards; 150 of them come on its first two possessions.

Further, after the offense committed its first turnover of the season to open the second half, the defense picked it up with a fourth-down stop in home territory.

Last week was easy. This one wasn’t. In the big picture, you can view that as a good thing, because this whole team still has a ton of growth to do together and that doesn’t just happen in games or practices, but more narrowly, in situations.

It was positive for Purdue to see a player like Williams, who could be playing a lot of places bigger than SIU.

In the fourth quarter, the defense’s only slippage came because of two personal foul penalties — they’ll hear about it Sunday — leading to a long field goal.

More: 10 Observations–Southern Illinois-Purdue

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