Purdue coach Ryan Walters talks J.J. McCarthy, 'special' Michigan defense

Purdue and Michigan Wolverines football will kick off the month of November with a Saturday night showdown at The Big House. While Michigan has continued its upward trajectory since beating the Boilermakers, 43-22, in the Big Ten championship game last December, Purdue has struggled mightily under first-year head coach Ryan Walters. The Boilers are 2-6 and haven’t won a game since beating Illinois Sept. 30, dropping three straight heading into this weekend.

Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy is one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Memorial Trophy, handed to the nation’s top player. He threw 3 touchdown passes against Purdue last season but was less effective when facing Walters — then the defensive coordinator at Illinois — two weeks earlier. In a 19-17 win over the Fighting Illini, McCarthy completed 18 of his 34 passes for 208 yards and no touchdowns, though he did lead a game-winning field goal drive.

Walters has been impressed with the Michigan signal-caller’s progression.

“You can definitely tell his improvement from last year to this year,” Walters said. “He’s very talented, can make every throw, can get you out of trouble with his legs on the ground. I think where he’s grown this season — last year, he had some questionable decisions at times and tried to make hero plays that kinda got them in trouble offensively. You don’t see him making those mistakes this season.”

McCarthy has completed 78.1 percent of his passes, good for second in the nation, for 1,799 yards and 18 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions in 2023.

“It looks like he’s more seasoned, more mature and has a good understanding of not only what they’re trying to get done schematically, but the situation they’re in on the field, what the down-and-distance is, what area of the field are they in,” Walters pointed out. “He doesn’t make mistakes. He’s playing the way he’s playing because of his talent and because of his progression this season.”

Purdue has had some issues against the pass, allowing 226.9 yards per game through the air (64th nationally), despite playing only two teams that rank better than 69th in the country in passing offense (Ohio State, 15th; Fresno State, 14th).

The Michigan defense is a load to handle, as well, and Walters knows it. The Maize and Blue rank first nationally in total defense, scoring defense and passing defense, and check in seventh against the pass.

“If you’ve got an answer how to crack it, let me know,” Walters joked. “There have been a lot of people struggling this year. I think what’s unique about Michigan in its entirety as a program is, yes, they have really good players. They also have a really good scheme on offense, defense and special teams. So, they pose problems and try to take away what you’re good at. They’ve got really good players that are able to do so.

“When they’re out of position, albeit a few times, they’ve got guys that can make up for it and overcome some of the maybe schematical errors or mental errors throughout the course of a play. I think that’s what makes Michigan special right now. I’m excited to game plan for it and go compete against them in a great environment.”

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card, a Texas transfer, hasn’t been as efficient with the Boilermakers as he was in Austin a season ago, when he connected on 69.4 percent of his passes. He’s completed only 59.4 percent of his throws this year with 8 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

The Boilermakers have also struggled to run the ball, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, which ranks 100th in the country. They’ve failed to hit the 100-yard rushing mark in three of seven contests against Power Five opponents.

Michigan has been in the news over the last week and a half, with the program under investigation for alleged illegal off-campus scouting. The investigation shouldn’t impact this season, in which the Wolverines have won every game by 24-plus points and are a national title contender, except for analyst Connor Stalions currently being suspended with pay.

Walters was asked how the ongoing noise surrounding Michigan may impact the Wolverines in the upcoming game.

“Impact them?” Walter replied. “I’m not sure. My focus is on us and our team. Obviously, we’re very aware of what the allegations are out there. We’ll plan accordingly.”

Michigan and Purdue kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised live on NBC.