Old National Presents: The 3-2-1

Three things learned. Two questions. One prediction. It’s time for the 3-2-1, an inside look at Purdue (3-8 overall; 2-6 Big Ten) as it preps to play host to Indiana (3-8; 1-7) at noon ET on BTN.

Three things learned

1 – Run, Boilers. Run

Purdue is known as the “Cradle of Quarterbacks.” But this year, the Boilermakers have been run-heavy.

Purdue is No. 4 in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging 168.3 yards. The last time this program averaged over 160 yards rushing? It was 2012, when Purdue averaged 166.5 yard. Akeem Shavers led that squad with 896 yards rushing that season.

Devin Mockobee leads the way with 769 yards rushing (4.9 ypc), while Tyrone Tracy has 668 (6.6 ypc). Tracy hurt his back last week but is expected to be ready for the Hoosiers.

“I think he will be fine,” said Purdue coach Ryan Walters. “He is sore. Both him and Mock were sore after the game. That’s two weeks where they’ve done the workload and have played really well. So, they’re just sore, like they should be, going into the last game of the season.”

2 – All about the Bucket

No one wants to be 3-8. But, that’s Purdue reality during Year One of the Walters era. Retaining the Old Oaken Bucket would be a positive note to finish.

“You don’t ever want to end the season on a loss, …” said Walters.

The Boilers have won the last two meetings with the Hoosiers and four of the last five. IU’s last win was 44-41 in double OT at Purdue in 2019.

“You know, one more time to play in front of Ross–Ade and take care of the home field and to win an in-state rival, and it’s a trophy game,” said Walters. “To keep a trophy would definitely be a positive moving into the offseason.”

Purdue last won as few as four games in a full season in 2019 (4-8). The last time the program won three or fewer games in a full season was 2016 (3-9).

3 – Key players back

No Hudson Card. No Nic Scourton. That was the reality for Purdue last week when it lost 23-15 at Northwestern. But each is expected back for the finale vs. Indiana.

“I would anticipate both of them being available, which is awesome,” said Walters. “We need them.”

Without Card, Purdue rotated redshirt freshman Bennett Meredith and true freshman Ryan Browne to mixed results. Meredith, an Arizona State transfer, started and hit 5-of-7 passes for 36 yards and ran four times for seven yards. Browne completed 12-of-16 passes 104 yards with two interceptions and ran 21 times for 85 yards. He engineered both TD drives.

Khordae Sydnor stepped in for Scourton and played well, notching 2.0 sacks and 2.5 TFLs.

“I was also very impressed with Khordae’s production and what he was able to do on Saturday,” said Walters.

“I thought Ryan played a little more confident, and he adds a little different element with his ability to run and extend plays,” said Walters. “So, we knew going into the game that we would have to be able to run the football in order to put points on the board and give us a chance to win. I think that also catered to Ryan’s strengths.”

Two questions

1 – How many players will be added to the recruiting class?

Purdue currently has 22 commits in its 2024 class as the early signing period looms on December 20. How many players will the staff add?

“Maybe by a couple of spots,” said Walters. “I’m really happy with the high school guys that we have committed. They’re all playing really well. A lot of them are still playing. They’re going deep in the postseason, and that’s a bonus when you get guys that are used to playing winning football.

“Right now, the only couple that we might take would be difference-maker type potential high school guys. Any others that we’ll take will be either junior college or transfer portal.”

2 – How much attrition will Purdue suffer?

Last year, the Boilermakers saw 24 players depart via the portal. Expect a raft to leave after this season, as Walters still has the “Aid After Departure of Head Coach” bylaw to use.

A new coach–Walters has just been on the job about 12 months–essentially has 18 months to remove players from the 85-man roster by offering to maintain their aid as long as they stop playing. Thanks to that amendment, a college football coach hired in December doesn’t have just one offseason to flip a roster this way.

“Every year, there’s probably a couple that surprise you and some others that don’t surprise you,” said Walters. “Ultimately, I’ve told all our guys, you have to do what’s best for yourself individually at the end of the year.

“A lot of guys see what we’re doing and want to be a part of it. I anticipate the guys that we want to stay will stay, and the guys that want to leave will leave. It’s nothing personal. I won’t take it personal, but I am excited about the future. I know a lot of these guys in the locker room are excited as well.”

One prediction: Hudson Card will pass for 300 yards

Yes, not only will Card play vs. IU, but he will notch a 300-yard passing effort vs. a suspect Hoosier secondary. It would be just Card’s second 300-yard passing game of the season, as he threw for 323 vs. Syracuse way back in September.

MORE: First Look: Indiana | Gold and Black Radio: Purdue moves on to Bucket game | First and 10: Indiana at Purdue | Ryan Walters ‘excited’ about NIL situation for Purdue