Center, guard, tackle, Josh Kaltenberger fits in anywhere along Purdue o-line
Center, guard, tackle, what is Josh Kaltenberger’s best position along the Purdue offensive line?
“I’m not sure, he said after practice on Tuesday.
Last week, it was tackle, where he played–and started–for the first time in his career. And, the redshirt junior more than held his own in helping the Boilermakers rush for 353 yards and tally 604 total yards in a 49-30 win vs. Minnesota.
“I definitely didn’t think about four or five weeks ago being a tackle,” said the 6-5, 280-pound Kaltenberger. “It’s been just kinda crazy now, just practicing the different positions. But, we’re just learning as we go, handling adversity accordingly.”
And there has been plenty of adversity for the o-line, which has seen its top two tackles–Marcus Mbow and Mahamane Moussa–lost to season-ending injuries. And the No. 3 tackle–Daniel Johnson–has battled his own injury issues, which kept him out vs. Minnesota. (Purdue also has lost G Luke Griffin to a season-ending injury.)
That forced Purdue last week to start its Nos. 4 and 5 tackles: Kaltenberger and Ben Farrell, a transfer from NAIA Indiana Wesleyan.
“We’ve battled adversity through injuries, and like I said after the game, just playing musical chairs with who is at what position,” said Ryan Walters. “Those guys’ attention to detail and willingness to learn and put time and effort into multiple positions, to be able to communicate different looks based on what’s called, they played really clean in the run game, and as a result we were able to get those short-yardage first downs and run for 353. That’s a big deal.”
Kaltenberger started the final three games of last season as Purdue’s No. 1 center after Gus Hartwig was injured. And Kaltenberger started vs. Virginia Tech and Syracuse in 2023 as Hartwig was still working his way back from a 2022 injury. Last week, Kaltenberger got the nod at right tackle.
“Inside, you get the heavier guys, usually not as twitchy,” said Kaltenberger. “And on the outside, you’re dealing with some guys that are lighter, a little bit more twitchy, a little faster. That’s the major difference there. But, other than that, o-line play is o-line play.”
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It has been a group effort to get Kaltenberger up to speed at tackle.
“Pretty much all the tackles combined,” fessed Kaltenberger, who has dealt with knee and back issues in 2023. “And I’ve been talking to D.J.. Moussa, Marcus, Ben Farrell. I mean, everybody has been helping out. So, it’s been nice of them to help me out and I’m trying to just learn as much as I can.”
Now, Kaltenberger and his linemates want to show last week wasn’t a fluke as Purdue (3-7 overall; 2-5 Big Ten) wades into Northwestern (5-5; 3-4) for a noon ET kickoff on BTN.
“It’s a big thing for us and it shows us that we can do that,” said Kaltenberger of the breakout effort vs. the Gophers. “So, we want to continue to build off of that, not just let it be a one time thing.
“We always talk about consistency in our room and we want to stay consistent, keep fighting each and every week.”
MORE: First look: Northwestern | First and Ten: Purdue-Northwestern | It’s alive! Purdue offense quells doubts, looks to build on breakout | The 3-2-1: Bowl hopes still afloat
