First and 10: Indiana State
As we start the week, 10 items of interest as Purdue opens the 2024 season Saturday against Indiana State (noon, BTN) at Ross-Ade Stadium:
• Where does the program fit in the new 18-team Big Ten? The pundits put the Boilermakers last in the unofficial preseason poll, giving coach Ryan Walters and his team plenty of motivation. That seems harsh for Walters’ group given the upgrades through the transfer portal and the returning experience, including quarterback and offensive line. But they’ll have to show it on the field.
• Lots of eyes on the defense since this is Walters’ background. Purdue allowed 30.4 points in nine conference games last season, and that number must shrink in Year 2 of the Walters era. With linebacker Kydran Jenkins and safety Dillon Thieneman, the defense has solid building blocks but will need more to take a significant step forward. However, the schedule is littered with dynamic offenses and playmakers throughout the Big Ten making the task difficult.
• Remember the struggles in short-yardage situations last season? The offense can’t go through another season of coming up short on third-and-2 and fourth-and-1. Experience and depth on the offensive line should solve those issues.
FIRST LOOK: Indiana State
• Keeping Hudson Card healthy is necessary as the Boilermakers face a daunting schedule. Card showed flashes in the run game last season, giving the offense another threat on the ground. But it’s through the air that Purdue needs Card to excel. His offensive line appears to be improved, there’s a host of receivers ready to contribute, and the running game should be strong to keep the offense from being one-dimensional. A jump is expected from Card, who had six touchdown passes and no interceptions in his last two starts in 2023.
• It was the Indiana State game two years ago where Devin Mockobee introduced himself to the fan base and the Big Ten. Granted, most of his 78 yards on 13 carries came after the Boilermakers were comfortably ahead, but he showcased a hard-charging running style that earned him more playing time the next week at Syracuse. The walk-on eventually earned a scholarship after the season, and now he’s one of the top backs in the Big Ten.
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• Jahmal Edrine was earmarked as the top receiver going into last year’s training camp, but a knee injury sidelined the transfer from Florida Atlantic. Card has more weapons at receiver, and Edrine needs to lead the pack.
PROJECTED DEPTH CHART: Week 1
• Part of improving the defense was moving Jenkins from end to inside linebacker. He’s the leader on defense and is in a position to make more plays in different areas. He’ll still rush the quarterback, but the ability to move Jenkins around gives the defense a different look.
• The most intriguing part of special teams is the possibility of Thieneman returning punts. Let’s see it.
• A sellout on Labor Day weekend? If Saturday’s game reaches capacity, that would be a new occurrence for the program. Coming off a 4-8 season and facing an FCS program that won one game last season doesn’t scream a full house. The Sycamores will bring their share of fans, and many factors are contributing to the potential sellout, but the bottom line – just enjoy it.
• Two years ago, Purdue blasted Indiana State 56-0. Expect the same Saturday.
