Old National Presents: 3-2-1

Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s The 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.

Three things learned

1 Feeding Devin

The final number was eye-popping: 32. That’s how many–a career-high–carries Devin Mockobee had last week in Purdue’s 34-17 win vs. Southern Illinois, gaining 126 yards in the process.

Add it up, and Mockobee has a Big Ten-high 46 carries through the first two weeks. That’s a surprising workload for a guy who at 6-0, 200-pounds isn’t built like a workhorse.

“I think the workload was a little skewed Saturday,” said OC Josh Henson. “We kind of felt that happening. We felt we could control the game that way and we just kind of went with it. I wouldn’t think it would be that heavy moving forward.”

Who is No. 2 on Purdue in rushes? QB Ryan Browne with 16. Antonio Harris has 8.

While Mockobee doesn’t figure to be fed the rock that often in 2025, he’ll still be leaned on as he chases Purdue’s all-time rushing mark. He’s currently fifth (2,651), chasing No. 1 man Mike Alstott (3,635).

“We’ve got to be able to run the ball,” said Purdue coach Barry Odom. “It doesn’t have to mean Mock gets 46 carries in two weeks, but if that’s what it takes, that’s what we’ll do. I think we’ve got some guys that are continuing to get in position that can share some of that load, as well.”

Top Five Purdue all-time rushers

Player	Career yards
1 Mike Alstott	3,635
2 Kory Sheets	3,341
3 Otis Armstrong	3,315
4 Scott Dierking	2,863
5 Devin Mockobee	2,651

2 – Disciplined

Maintaining composure and playing smart were issues that often eluded Purdue in recent years. But Odom has his squad playing buttoned-up, disciplined football.

Get this: Through two games, Purdue has just five penalties–the fewest in the Big Ten and second fewest in the nation.

“I think you look at our plan to win, that’s part of it,” said Odom. “It’s football IQ, being a smart team. It’s also the hidden yardage within the game, either field position through the kick game, or the average starting position, how important that is, and penalties go into that, as well.”

Next up: Generating takeaways. So far, Purdue has none.

“At the end of the year, if you can be the least penalized team, and you’re winning in the turnover margin and in field position, then you’re going to be a winning football team,” said Odom.

3 – George is back, baby!

The career of George Burhenn has gone in fits and starts, as injury has often derailed him. His latest health obstacle: A leg injury incurred during the first play of an April 5 scrimmage. He had surgery five days later followed by a long and often laborious rehab over the summer.

Now, Burhenn is back.

The talented tight end is starting to tease with potential again. He got his feet wet in the opener, playing 16 snaps. Last week, he led Purdue with three receptions for 48 yards … and looked good doing so.

“It felt really good,” said Burhenn. “It’s definitely like a weight lifted off my shoulders, just the long journey of recovery and just getting back out there. So, it was definitely a great feeling.”

The best may be yet to come. The bottom line: Burhenn needs to be a star for Purdue to reach its potential.

“Every day, I’m getting a little bit better,” said Burhenn,” because the process is still continuing of getting fully back. But, yeah, just every day getting a little bit better.”

MORE: From UNLV to Big Ten: Purdue’s Barry Odom, USC’s Jayden Maiava set for reunion | First Look: USC | First and 10: Purdue-USC | Three Thoughts From The Weekend: Devin Mockobee, Purdue vs. USC and more | 25 years later, Purdue to honor 2000 Rose Bowl team

Two questions

1 – Will Purdue be favored in another game?

The Boilermakers were favored to win vs. Ball State and Southern Illinois. But they may be the underdog in every other game in 2025, beginning with USC this Saturday. After that, what looms?

at Notre Dame
Illinois
at Minnesota
at Northwestern
Rutgers
at Michigan
Ohio State
at Washington
Indiana

Maybe Purdue will be the favorite when it goes to Evanston. And perhaps for the homecoming visit from Rutgers.

Fun food for thought as Odom and Co., try to confound experts and shoot for six wins and bowl eligibility.

2 – On staff intel

Purdue has someone on staff with intimate knowledge of USC’s offensive personnel: OC Josh Henson.

He was the Trojans’ OC the previous three seasons. So, is Purdue DC Mike Scherer mining info from Henson as he game plans? Scherer was taciturn on the subject.

“I mean, he’s familiar with some of their personnel,” said Scherer. “So, that’s about it. You do what you can, you learn what you can. He’s been here for a while, and I think the thing he’s familiar with is their personnel.”

Henson also should know some tendencies of the USC staff, too, right?

“We’ve had conversations,” said Scherer.

One bold statement: USC will be measuring stick

Here come the Trojans!

Yes, these aren’t Pete Carroll’s Trojans of Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart. They are Lincoln Riley’s. And, they have not set the world on fire in recent years. In fact, Riley has seen his win total dip each season in LA, from 11, to 8, to 7 in 2024. USC was 4-5 in the Big Ten last season. Regardless of USC’s current circumstance or past, Odom doesn’t view this game as a measuring stick.

“No,” he said. “It’s obviously a big game, but they’re all big. This is the next opportunity for us. And, you know, can we improve from week one to week two? I think, yes, we did in a lot of ways. Can we improve from game two to three? That’s the next measuring stick for us.”

Still, it is USC, a college football blue blood, a “logo” school with cachet that has something to prove this year. How will Purdue perform? USC lost all three of its games in the Big Ten footprint last year: at Michigan, at Minnesota, at Maryland.

Gonna be interesting.