WEST LAFAYETTE — The beginning of Purdue football under coach Barry Odom got off to a great start. Players talked of being able to “play loose” and confident postgame, and Odom noted the excitement of the first game.
The Boilermakers cruised to a 31-0 win over in-state rival Ball State, which debuted coach Mike Uremovich, a Purdue graduate.
It wasn’t quite a 4.0 for the season opener report card. Here are my grades from the win.
Purdue football’s passing offense stole the show
Can’t ask for much better than the start. Ryan Browne and Arhmad Branch look like they may have a real connection upon which to build. More playmakers must emerge, but Branch and Michael Jackson III are a good place to start while the room gets healthy. After some spotty practice performances, receiving corps played solid.
Stats: 68.9% completions, 11.7 yards per attempt, no turnovers; Ryan Browne 18-26, 311 yards, 2 TDs; Malachi Singleton 2-3, 29 yards
Grade: A
Purdue’s greatest strength was its biggest disappointment
Frankly, we expected more. Only three explosive rushing plays — two in the first three minutes, one in the fourth quarter. Devin Mockobee averaged 4.2 yards per carry and was saved by a fumble bouncing out of bounds. He and the offensive line, though, did come through on fourth-and-goal at the 4.
Stats: 3.1 yards per carry, 2.3 yards per carry on third down ; Devin Mockobee 14-59, TD; Ryan Browne TD; team 93 yards on 30 carries, 2 TDs
Grade: C+
Kiael Kelly couldn’t bother Purdue football pass defense
Only explosive play allowed came in the fourth quarter when the game had been turned over to the reserves. Purdue knew Kiael Kelly could not threaten it in the air and they followed through by smothering his receivers and sacking him four times. The depth showed up, too, with players such as Crew Wakley and Smiley Bradford coming off the bench to make plays.
Stats: 63% completion percentage, 5.4 yards per attempt, 108.2 QB rating, 4 sacks
Grade: A
Purdue run defense showed cracks, but didn’t break vs Ball State
Ball State’s only hope was to beat Purdue on the ground. The Boilermakers did not allow that to happen, preventing Kelly from breaking loose and forcing tough third-down situations. The Cardinals did crack through in the middle of the game with five explosive plays over the second and third quarters.
Stats: 3.2 yards per attempt, 3.7 yards per carry on third down
Grade: B+
Purdue’s punting highlighted stellar special teams
Jack McCallister averaged 50.3 yards on three punts — all of which he put inside the 20. Spencer Porath stepped in and punched through a 28-yard field goal. Ball State only kicked off once, so we’ll wait to see what Antonio Harris and Malachi Thomas can do there.
Grade: A
Purdue coach Barry Odom, staff leave past behind in opening win
Not a game which hinged on big decisions, obviously. This is more of an overall grade. Odom doesn’t want to talk about the past, but momentum and energy are important, and he needed to open with a boost of both. He accomplished that mission, but also acknowledged the significant growth still needed.
Grade: A
Purdue football play of the game
Branch caught a pass over the middle from Browne, slithered out of an ankle tackle, spun out of another and finished off a 49-yard touchdown reception on the opening series. An emphatic opening blow.
Purdue football players of the game vs Ball State
Going to split this between linebackers Mani Powell and Charles Correa. They lead a defensive front which was the catalyst of the program’s second season-opening shutout in as many years. The former UNLV teammates combined for nine tackles, 1.5 for loss.
What’s next for Purdue football?
That confident, explosive, efficient start must become a common factor. Opponents will dictate that some weeks, but one of the biggest separations needed from the past two seasons is to become a team which plays from ahead. Both offense and defense set a tone on the early possessions and Ball State never built any traction.
Why didn’t Purdue football run the ball more?
Why couldn’t Purdue move the ball better on the ground against an opponent of this caliber? Ball State clearly came in concerned about containing Browne on the ground and limiting Mockobee. Next step for the Boilermakers is to push a team like this around anyway.
Get IndyStar’s Purdue coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Boiler Update newsletter.
