Purdue’s defense has stumbled out of the gate in a way that’s hard to spin. Through four games, the Boilermakers have been getting pushed around in just about every phase, and the numbers paint a brutal picture.
Start with the scoreboard. Purdue has given up an average of 46.3 points per game over its last three contests, and it has allowed at least 38 points in each of those losses to Wake Forest, UCLA and Notre Dame. That stretch left the Boilermakers 0-3 in those games, and it has put the defense near the bottom of the national rankings in a hurry.
The run defense has been especially damaging. Purdue has already surrendered 10 rushing touchdowns, which ranks 128th nationally, and opponents are averaging more than 5.0 yards per carry.
Wake Forest ran for 186 yards, Notre Dame added 177 on the ground, and UCLA piled up 369 yards overall in Week 3. The issue isn’t just volume, either.
Teams have been staying ahead of the sticks and keeping drives alive with too much ease.
Things haven’t gotten any better when opponents take to the air. All three of Purdue’s FBS opponents have thrown for at least 225 yards, and the Boilermakers have allowed seven passing touchdowns over the last two games.
The yards-per-completion number is ugly, too: Purdue is giving up 15.66 yards per completion. Without much pass rush and with the secondary sitting so far off receivers, opponents have had plenty of room to work.
The overall efficiency numbers are just as rough. Purdue is the worst defensive team in the Big Ten by nearly 30 yards per game, and it’s the only league team allowing more than 7.0 yards per play. Across college football, only three teams are giving up more than 6.0 yards per play, which tells you how far out on an island Purdue is right now.
Turnovers, which were supposed to be a priority this offseason, haven’t helped cover any of it up. The Boilermakers have forced only two takeaways.
One was Don Saunders’ pick-six against Indiana State in the opener, long after the outcome had been settled. The other came from Charles Correa in last week’s loss to Notre Dame, when Purdue was already down 35-0.
The explosive-play problem has been even worse than advertised. Purdue has allowed 26 plays of 20 yards or more, the highest total in college football. The Boilermakers have also given up 10 plays of 30-plus yards and eight plays of 40-plus yards.
On third down, opponents have been able to keep drives rolling more than half the time. That’s the kind of number that makes every series feel dangerous, and it’s another reason Purdue keeps spending too much time on the field.
Even when the defense has forced teams into the red zone, it hasn’t been able to escape. Opponents have scored touchdowns on 14 of 18 trips inside Purdue territory.
The four times they didn’t reach the end zone, they still came away with field goals. Through four games, Purdue has not recorded a single red zone stop.
In Other News...
Barry Odom Addresses Purdues Biggest Problem As Pressure Builds
Purdues three-game slide has put the defense under a harsh spotlight, and the pressure is only growing as the Boilermakers get ready for Illinois. The most troubling stretch has come up front, where the edge rush has disappeared and the group failed to record a sack against Notre Dame, leaving opposing offenses too comfortable and Purdue chasing games it cant afford to chase.
Barry Odom acknowledged the issues and pointed specifically to the underperformance of transfers Keyshawn Burgos and Elo Modozie as part of the problem. He also addressed how difficult it is to make midseason coaching staff changes, even as Illinois comes in after making one of its own, while Purdues own defensive coordinator situation remains unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Purdues Notre Dame Showing Put Barry Odoms Rebuild Under A Harsh Light
Notre Dame walked into Ross-Ade Stadium and left with a 40-10 win that only sharpened the questions around Purdues rebuild. The Irish improved to 4-0 behind CJ Carrs 237 passing yards and three touchdowns, and their 444 yards of offense underscored how much cleaner and more efficient they looked than the home team on a day when the margin never felt especially close.
For Barry Odom, the defeat offered a blunt reminder of how much work remains. Purdue had little going offensively, with Ryan Browne limited to 111 passing yards and the run game held to 40 yards, while the defense spent much of the afternoon chasing Notre Dame. Odom acknowledged the challenges and said the focus has to stay on improvement, but performances like this make the rebuild feel even more urgent. [Read more 🡒]
Purdue Gets Kenna Wollard Back Around The Team Again
Purdue has gotten a welcome boost around the program with Kenna Wollard back in team activities after missing the season because of an undisclosed medical issue. The All-American outside hitter has rejoined the Boilermakers in a limited role, and coach Dave Shondell said she is healthy enough to travel with the team as she continues working her way back into the programs daily rhythm.
Wollards presence matters even if she is not expected to play this season, because Purdue is still getting her experience and energy back in the building and on the road. She has already made appearances with the team and will travel with the Boilermakers to upcoming matches, giving the group another familiar face as it pushes through the stretch run. [Read more 🡒]