Purdue’s first test on defense is already clear: stop Wake Forest’s quarterback from turning broken plays into big gains.
The Boilermakers handled Indiana State in the opener, but the tape left some real questions behind. Purdue had trouble getting off the field in key moments, and now it has to clean that up against a Wake Forest offense that brings a much different kind of stress.
Gio Lopez is the center of that problem. Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane made it clear that the veteran quarterback’s mobility is what jumps off the page.
"Gio is another guy who is very mobile," defensive coordinator Kevin Kane said. "I think we're going to see a lot of those guys this year. We can burn our hand on the stove and come out with a victory; it'll teach our guys how to rush the passer and how we've gotta play in coverage with a scrambling quarterback."
Lopez backed up that reputation in Wake Forest’s season-opening win over Akron. He went 21-of-32 for 350 yards and three touchdowns, then added 39 yards on seven carries. His longest run went 15 yards.
That ability to extend plays is exactly what gave Purdue some trouble against Indiana State. Dual-threat quarterback Elijah Owens accounted for 60 of the Sycamores’ 66 rushing yards, and even though Purdue’s defensive line drew a strong Week 1 grade from Pro Football Focus, the pressure didn’t always finish the job when Owens slipped the pocket.
Kane said the defense was better after halftime, when Purdue opened the third quarter with consecutive three-and-outs. Still, that kind of improvement has to hold up against a more dangerous offense than the one the Boilermakers saw last week.
Explosive plays are the other major issue hanging over this matchup. Purdue gave up too many of them against Indiana State, including three pass plays of 40-plus yards. No other Big Ten team allowed more than one.
Wake Forest made chunk gains a huge part of its scoring in Week 1. Three of its four touchdowns came on explosive pass plays. Lopez hit Kam Shanks for 27 yards on his first touchdown throw, then connected with Antonio Meeks on a 72-yard score and Carlos Hernandez on a 78-yard touchdown.
"We've got to solve our explosive issues. That's how they live; they want explosive, chunk plays," Kane said.
"I think their wide receiver group is a good group. We have to continue to keep everything in front of us ...
Their scheme matches their personnel very well."
After reviewing the film from Purdue’s 44-19 win, Kane said the breakdowns against Indiana State mostly came down to eye discipline and execution. In his view, the fixes are straightforward, even if the challenge ahead is not.
"Obviously, that's how offenses score nowadays, right? You've got to limit the explosives," Kane said. "If we go back and look at the film as to why those happened, it's simple fixes."
In Other News...
Trey Kaufman-Renn's Eligibility Fight Just Raised A New Purdue Question
Trey Kaufman-Renns fight for a sixth year of eligibility has become one of the more unusual offseason wrinkles tied to Purdue basketball. The former Boilermaker appeared in court this week as part of his lawsuit against the NCAA, but no final decision came at the hearing, leaving both sides to file proposed orders before a ruling is expected soon.
For Purdue fans, the bigger question is less about the courtroom process than what comes next for a player who is already being courted by several college programs. Kaufman-Renn has not signaled a return to West Lafayette, and with the Minnesota Timberwolves having selected him in the 2026 NBA Draft, his path now sits at the intersection of college eligibility and pro opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
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Defensive coordinator Kevin Kanes imprint was already visible, with Ian Jeffries and Rodney Lora helping drive a strong showing up front and transfer defensive back Don Saunders making an immediate impact in the secondary. Saunders not only picked off a pass and took it back for a touchdown in his debut, he also graded out among the nations top cornerbacks, giving Purdue a few more reasons to think the defense may have real staying power as the schedule stiffens. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Gets An Early Chance To Prove This Team Is Different
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It is not a must-win in the traditional sense, but it does feel like one of those September chances Purdue cannot afford to waste if it wants to change the conversation around the program. Wake Forest arrives with enough recent evidence to make this a real test, and Purdue will get an immediate read on whether the upgrades and continuity show up when the season is still young and the optimism is still intact. [Read more 🡒]