Purdue football notebook

The Purdue offense has fallen and it can’t score.

The Boilermakers are moving the ball, ranking No. 10 in the Big Ten in total offense (356.4 ypg). But the name of the game is scoring. And Purdue is just 16th in the conference (20.9 ppg). In Big Ten games, the Boilermakers’ scoring average sinks to 16.3, 17th in the league.

Compounding scoring matters is a red zone offense that is the worst in the Big Ten (73.5 scoring percent). And a 50-percent TD percent inside the red zone is the lowest in the league.

It hasn’t helped that the Boilermakers have been playing a daunting schedule of late, with games vs. the likes to Michigan and Ohio State. Still, the lack of scoring is noteworthy–and crippling.

What has been missing from an offense that has passed for 203, 218, 128, 138, 94 yards the last five games?

“Consistency of execution,” said offensive coordinator Josh Henson. “And that’s our job as coaches to get our players to play at a consistent, executing level. I tell players, we live through you. When you don’t execute, you have to take accountability for it. But, I promise you, the first thing we’re doing as a coaching staff is, did we coach them well enough to put them in position to make that play?”

Another thing handicapping the Boiler attack: Injury. TE George Burhenn, arguably the most talented player on the team, has not played since Sept 20 at Notre Dame as he deals with a left arm issue. And RB Devin Mockobee is out for the season after hurting an ankle vs. Rutgers Oct. 25.

This offense already lacks playmakers/difference-makers. Without Burhenn and Mockobee, the unit is even further compromised to hit paydirt.

The Washington defense, coordinated by former Purdue coach Ryan Walters, is yielding just 20.0 ppg.

“The number one thing is just consistency of assignment and technique,” said Henson. “When you play a team that’s physically gifted, like the team we just played, you’re going to have about five plays in the game where it’s like, ‘Oh, they kind of got us physically. They kind of put it to us so.’

“And another 60, 70 plays are just going to be about execution and technique. That’s what it’s going to come down to.”

NOTES:

• Six players have at least 200 yards receiving, the most in a season since 2021.

• Purdue’s November slate has teams with a combined 32-5 record.

• After forcing only one turnover the first five games, Purdue has forced seven in the last five. Points off turnovers for the season: Opponents 54, Purdue 3.

• Devin Mockobee leads Purdue with 521 yards rushing, but he is finished for the season due to injury. If he ends up pacing the team, it will be the lowest rushing yard total for a Boilermaker team leader (save for six-game 2020 COVID season–Zander Horvath 442) since King Doerue had 451 in 2019. And Mockobee would be the first Purdue player to lead the team in rushing for four seasons.

• Purdue will travel 2,192 miles to Washington, marking the longest road trip for a Big Ten game in school annals.

• Purdue starts fast, out scoring opponents 62-41 in the first quartet. But it is being out scored 123-60 in the second quarter and 60-37 in the third quarter.

• This will be the Boilermakers’ sixth trip to Seattle and first since 1989. Purdue hasn’t won in Seattle since 1961, losing the last three visits to the Emerald City (1989, 1987, 1971) with one tie in 1962.

• The Husky staff includes former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters (Washington DC), ex-special teams coach Chris Petrilli (Washington special teams coach) and Brian Odom, the younger brother of Barry Odom who is UW’s inside linebackers coach.

• Purdue is No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 21 nationally in red zone defense.

• Mani Powell, Tahj Ra-El and Charles Correa are 1, 2, 3 in the Big Ten in tackles with a combined 273.

• The last two meetings between the Boilermakers and Huskies have come in bowls, with Purdue winning in the Sun Bowl in the 2002 season (the last meeting between the teams) and the Huskies winning in the Rose Bowl in the 2000 season.

MORE: First and 10: Purdue at Washington | First Look: Washington | Barry Odom vs. Ryan Walters: Friends collide on opposite sidelines | The 3-2-1: Purdue front office continues to evolve | Opponent View: Washington | Projected depth charts: Washington | Matchup preview: Purdue at Washington

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