Illinois and Purdue are both trying to put last week behind them, and Saturday gives one of them a chance to do it at the other’s expense.
The Fighting Illini head into the Big Ten matchup at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play after a 42-19 loss at then-No. 7 Ohio State.
Purdue is 1-3 and also 0-1 in the league after getting hammered 49-10 at home by No. 3 Notre Dame.
Illinois is also dealing with a major coaching change on defense. The school and first-year defensive coordinator Bobby Hauck mutually parted ways on Sunday, one day after the loss in Columbus. Bret Bielema did not get into specifics on play calling or personnel, but said the team would be ready.
"It's a big change, but I think the way it was handled and the way it was explained and the parts that are in process as we speak -- starting (Sunday) afternoon to where we are -- I don't think it's going to be as big a deal inside the building as you think," Bielema said.
The Illini gave up 518 yards to Ohio State, and defensive back Matthew Bailey led the team with a career-high 14 tackles. The Buckeyes’ last touchdown came with only nine Illinois defenders on the field.
Still, Illinois moved the ball well enough to stay in the game for stretches, finishing with 462 yards, no turnovers and a rushing average of 6.0 yards per carry. Katin Houser went 21-for-37 for 263 yards and a touchdown.
Purdue, meanwhile, is looking to steady itself in a rivalry that stretches back to 1890. The Boilermakers own a 48-47-6 edge all-time over Illinois, though the Illini have won the last two meetings.
Barry Odom’s team has dropped three straight, and the recent schedule has been brutal. Purdue’s last three opponents are a combined 11-1, with the only loss coming to No. 4 Miami, Odom said.
"Our last three opponents, they're currently 11-1. And the one loss is (to) No.
(4) Miami," said Boilermakers coach Barry Odom. "It's a pretty good group.
But if you sit there and you compare into the what-if game, going backwards is not worth anybody's time."
Quarterback Ryan Browne had been productive through Purdue’s first three games, throwing for at least 317 yards in each of them. Against Notre Dame, though, he was held to 18 completions on 28 attempts for 111 yards, and he also lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown.
Purdue’s defense has been scored on heavily during the skid, allowing 139 points over the three losses, but coordinator Kevin Kane pointed to some progress. Linebacker Charles Correa picked off his first career pass a week ago, and Kane said the group has started to settle in.
"The more they play together, the more confident they are with each other," Kane said. "I think we simplified a lot of things last week that allowed them to play faster, and they did."
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