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Ryan Browne shines bright in first opportunity as Purdue's QB1

by: Dub Jellison08/30/25dubjellison
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Ryan Browne leads Purdue out of tunnel against Ball State. (Krockover Photography)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – It wasn’t a shock when Ryan Browne earned the title of ‘QB1’ for Barry Odom and Purdue last week. It took him less than a quarter to show why.

On the Boilermakers’ first drive of the game, Browne stood in the pocket and took a shot to deliver a strike to sophomore receiver Arhmad Branch, who took the dime 51 yards to the end zone, providing Purdue its first points of the season, in spectacular fashion. It was the catalyst for the offensive success against Ball State in the 31-0 victory at Ross-Ade Stadium.

“It pretty much went exactly how we thought it would, with what play we’re going to run, what look we might get. So it made it really easy for all of us to just be able to go out there and play loose,” Browne said.

Browne then continued the party with a rushing touchdown on the following drive, which was set up by two more connections to Branch, one of 17 yards and the next of 35 yards. The five-yard scamper handed Purdue a 14-0 lead and setting the tone for the type of offense that the Boilermakers could produce under his watch.

The rising redshirt sophomore has been waiting for his moment as “the guy” and while he had a taste of success a season ago, coming into the season as Purdue’s undisputed leader in 2025 is an entirely different animal.

Browne proved he’s ready for it.

“Everything I’ve done in my whole life is to be in this position. So I would say that I didn’t see myself being here, but we’ve got a lot more work to do,” Browne said.

“I wouldn’t say so, and I think maybe some people might have different answers to that, but I think for me, I’ve always prepared myself, no matter what,” Browne said.

In his third career start, Browne had 311 passing yards on 18-26 passing with a pair of touchdown passes, as well as another score on the ground. Granted, Ball State is a rebuilding program and this is what Purdue should have done against an inferior opponent, but foundation for Browne and the offense in encouraging. His head coach was complimentary of his performance as well.

“Ryan Browne, I thought, executed the game plan well. Thought he made some really smart decisions,” Odom said.

Even if Purdue won’t say it, another tune up game is waiting next Saturday night with Southern Illinois coming to Ross-Ade Stadium. That gives Browne and the offense the chance to continue building for marquee matchups against USC, Notre Dame, etc,. that are looming as the season progresses.

“At the end of the day, he’s going to go down on, did we win or lose? And ultimately, that’s what quarterbacks are judged on, a lot like the head coach. So Ryan takes it personal,” Odom said.

Purdue is going to be dependent upon the fiery signal caller this fall and Saturday’s start showed why Ryan Browne was the man tabbed with the job.

More: Ten observations: Ball State-Purdue

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