Upon Further Review: Ball State

The day after most Purdue football games this season, GoldandBlack.com will rewatch the contest in an attempt to break down or highlight some of the finer points.

Understand, we do not have 11-on-11 video nor do we have either team’s playbook, so this will generally be a layman’s view on things.

Today: Purdue’s 31-0 season-opening win over Ball State

PDF: Purdue-Ball State statistics

PURDUE OFFENSE

Purdue’s apparent game plan based on its early-game play mix was to play off the two things it knew Ball State knew: That Devin Mockobee is going to be a featured player and that new/old quarterback Ryan Browne can run.

The Boilermakers’ quick strike to open the game appeared to be all option-based, whether run-pass option (RPO) to throw or read-option to run.

After drawing a penalty on first down on an apparent RPO, Ball State dropped back on second down and Purdue took what it was given.

It set up big things to come. Ball State loads up the box again.

(By the way, the biggest highlight of this play is Arhmad Branch finishing it. Incredible balance and simple desire to score. They call that in the business a “nose for the end zone.”)

We can’t sit here and credibly tell you what Browne’s pre-snap reads were, but chances are they involved the placement of Ball State’s safeties. On Series 2 here, you see one in the box and one held back deep, but not that deep. Ball State is expecting the run. The result …

Later, you see Ball State cheating up. Hell of a throw by Browne here, and great protection.

Now, we’ve highlighted the RPO and read-option success here, but there will be plenty of film to learn from, too, as Browne moves forward as the offense’s decision-maker. For as good as he was in Week 1, he left some yards and probably points on the field, too.

(In fairness, this is a hell of a play by the defender to effectively account for three options here. And this wasn’t blocked as well as some other moments during the game.)

This one Browne would like back.

• Purdue’s approach was really effective in that it attacked Ball State east and west to stretch them sideline to sideline, which likely took some burden off pass protection (as did the option threat) and contributed to seams in the running game.

RED ZONE AND SHORT-YARDAGE OFFENSE

Clearly, Purdue felt great about its ability to run these direct-snap plays, layered with pre-snap motion, with success. Once the Boilermakers hit Ball State with some early option success in the run game, the middle was just begging to be pounded.

Here’s a third-and-short in the second quarter.

The two tight ends inset from the line give Purdue a lot of options here and more for the defense to worry about than it would seem. Running the lead-blocking “H-back” opposite the pre-snap motion is a lot for a defense to concern itself with, and it opens up beautifully here when Purdue runs away from how the play is blocked. A benefit to “Wildcat” is that it allows the ball-carrier added depth to look things over and make his decision.

Earlier, Devin Mockobee scored on fourth down doing this, with the two tight ends essentially just chipping the edges and basically letting the flow of the defense pass by the ball.

Clearly, read option offense and this direct-snap package are going to be key components to Purdue red-zone and short-yardage offense and now that it’s on tape, provide countless opportunities to zig and/or zag. Openers are in part about establishing your basic stuff that future opponents will have to prepare for first and foremost. Then you build off it thereafter if need be. If you can execute it consistently at a level where you don’t need to overcomplicate things, that works, too.

OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY

The offensive line “did its job” as coaches say. There were some modest snapping issues, but no disasters. The only penalty was a man-downfield on a play that went sideways.

Again, it’s Ball State, so the Big Ten team winning the line of scrimmage isn’t grounds for a parade, but this was a solid first step for a unit that got old and physically mature through the portal, but still has inexperienced guys out there and had experience together.

A quick note about effort, first off.

This scoring play is made by Ethan Trent (76) getting in that last nudge that allows scrambling Ryan Browne to get in the clear. He didn’t have anyone to block at the snap, but found a way to make the most important block.

Offensive line play is not just making blocks, but getting into positions to make them, which is really the more important part. Good stuff here by center Brandyn Joiner (55) to get out in the open on this screen that really should have scored.

This is Joey Tanona (79) pulling from his tackle position to spring this play.

Guard Jalen St. John (74) looks like an NFL guy.

PURDUE DEFENSE

• Purdue’s pressure looks like it’s bound to come from the second and third levels of its defense, putting an onus on its down linemen to hold positions, set edges and occupy blockers. Not exclusively, but the more they free up everyone else, that’s part of the job.

Future opponents will stack up better than Ball State could, but Purdue’s D-line was indomitable Saturday.

Jammarion Harkless (97) reminded on former Purdue standout Lorenzo Neal a few times. The 345-pounder blows this play up.

This is essentially a coverage sack for Purdue, but Harkless’ immovability is really a factor.

This what “setting the edge” means. D-end CJ Nunnally (91, up top) is a stand-up edge on this play but makes the play by giving himself up, essentially, to completely eliminate the corner, forcing the ball inside and allowing the linebackers to clean it up.

Here, Purdue’s edges completely collapse the pocket. If Demeco Kennedy (18) isn’t not holding his spot but advancing through two blockers like this, a crease might open and this might become something.

You generally expect Big Ten teams to be more physical up front vs. mid-major programs, but this is what it’s supposed to look like.

MISC.

• Purdue’s tackling for a while in the third quarter wasn’t as sharp, but this play by young corner Hudauri Hines (4) to snuff out this screen was a big-time play. It’s not just about him shedding the offensive lineman schemed up to block him — in those situations the DB has to make himself as difficult to engage as can be — and make the tackle, but by breaking inside the linemen, he not only gives the the blocker a quick vertigo spell, but allows allows the help behind him to fill in. If Hines doesn’t make this tackle or even if he gets blocked, his angle tilted things to the point where linebacker Sanders Ellis (6) makes this play.