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 as it preps to play No. 1 Ohio State.

Three things learned

1 – Farewell, Mock

Just like that, Devin Mockobee’s glorious Purdue career is finished. He should have gone out with a flourish, making a run at a 1,000-yard rushing season during a turnaround season in West Lafayette.

Instead, Mockobee’s career ends in a whimper and amid a pile of losses.

Barry Odom made it official on Monday, after Mockobee was out for the Michigan game with an ankle injury.

“Friday, he had a procedure,” said Odom. “We were hoping that we would get a little bit better news after that. They did that procedure on his ankle, but unfortunately, the injury sustained, he’s played his last ball here.”

Mockobee arrived as a faceless walk-on and leaves as an all-time great, 13 yards short of 3,000 rushing yards (2,987) to rank fourth in school annals behind Mike Alstott, Kory Sheets and Otis Armstrong.

Not bad for a kid from nowhere Boonville, Ind.

“He’s such a wonderful young man, great leader of this program, a great representative of Purdue University, and the things that he’s poured into our program and university since I’ve been here,” said Odom.

“He will go down as one of the really, really enjoyable, great guys that I’ve had a chance to coach, and will be connected forever and I know that this place means a whole lot to him.”

2 – Hello, old friend Max Klare

What if?

What if Max Klare had decided to stay at Purdue instead of transferring to Ohio State after the 2024 season? No doubt, a Boiler offense (16th in the Big Ten in scoring, 22.1 ppg) scrambling to score could use the playmaking ability.

The tight end spot has been a blackhole for Purdue since George Burhenn suffered an injury in the Notre Dame game on Sept. 20 and hasn’t played since after making nine receptions for 94 yards. Boilermaker tight ends have combined for seven catches in Burhenn’s absence. QB Ryan Browne (1) has more TD catches than all the Purdue tight ends combined.

Klare is enjoying success in Columbus, making 21 catches for 210 yards and a TD with five starts. And he has a shot to win a Big Ten and national title with the Buckeyes.

Did Purdue have a chance at keeping Klare, who joined fellow high-profile teammates Dillon Thieneman (Oregon) and Will Heldt (Clemson) in bolting West Lafayette after the Ryan Walters‘ era ended?

“We had a conversation, and I tried to keep them all, but there was a certain point that they had already made up their mind and I’m happy for him that he continues to find success,” said Odom.

3 – Purdue is close

Yes, the losses are mounting–along with the frustration, angst and general unrest. People are smiling through clenched teeth.

But Purdue is close–and that’s progress following last year’s debacle.

Purdue has lost its last four games by an average of 8.5 points, with near-misses vs. Minnesota, Rutgers and Michigan. Still, it’s 15 Big Ten losses in a row, as Purdue looks destined for successive winless Big Ten seasons and 2-10 finish.

While trying hard and coming close is swell and all, at some point the Boilers have to taste victory. And it doesn’t figure to happen the rest of the season with games vs. three ranked teams on tap: No. 1 Ohio State, No. 24 Washington and No. 2 Indiana.

“I do think we’ve got a locker room full of guys that are going to fight and do everything they can to try to go win a game,” said Odom. “And we’ll keep on swinging, we’ll keep on digging, we’ll keep on trying to find a way to get in the winner’s circle.”

MORE: First look: Ohio State | First and 10: Ohio State-Purdue | Purdue, Barry Odom brace for first visit from No. 1 team since 1989

Two questions

1 – Purdue’s portal priorities?

Forget Christmas … before you know if, transfer portal season will be upon us! What are the perceived biggest needs for the Boilermakers?

1 Defensive end
2 Safety
3 Running back
4 Receiver
5 Cornerback

You could probably put tight end on there. Purdue also will need a punter. And what about quarterback?

But, without a doubt, d-end is the most yawning need. The position has been an abyss all season. Season-opening starters–CJ Madden and Trey Smith–have been replaced by CJ Nunnally and Breeon Ishmail. Nunnally has been a hidden gem, but he is out of eligibility.

The other DEs? (crickets)

2 – How will RB spot be impacted by Mockobee loss?

We got a look at the position sans Mockobee at Michigan. And Antonio Harris (54 yards rushing) and Malachi Thomas (68) each more than held their own and are capable.

“I think the number one thing is depth, right?” said OC Josh Henson. “And so the biggest change is we’ve got to get some young guys ready to go if we do have to go to that possibility. We got to develop depth. We’ve been working Jaron (Thomas) a lot. He’s done a really nice job.”

Thomas is a rugged 6-0, 210-pound true freshman from Elkhart, Ind. Looks like Jaheim Merriweather has been passed over and is probably on his way out, is my guess.

One bold statement: Purdue will retain QB Ryan Browne

He has shown enough to prove he merits to be retained, I think. Browne is going to be good.

But I am not a fan of running a bunch of RPO stuff with him where he has to make decisions on the fly. And the receivers need to be better; drops and route busts all over the place. Oh, and a buttoned line would do wonders for Browne, as well.

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