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Football notebook: Chucky has been 'put to rest'

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•11/16/23•

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Purdue CB Derrick Rogers with Chucky. (Chad Krockover)

Chucky won’t be coming out to play any longer.

The gruesome doll, the main antagonist of the “Child’s Play” horror franchise, has been carried onto the field by Boilermaker cornerback Derrick Rogers this season. But, that will stop.

“You will not be seeing the Chucky doll anymore, I promise,” said Ryan Walters. “I didn’t notice it until we were about to leave the tunnel and run on the field. By that time, I thought if I would’ve done what I wanted to do, it would’ve been a distraction.

“So, we have had that conversation and Chucky will be put to rest.”

• The Purdue offensive line depth has been put to the test this season.

The unit has lost three players to season-ending injuries: Marcus Mbow, Mahamane Moussa and Luke Griffin. And Gus Hartwig, Daniel Johnson and Josh Kaltenberger have not been available at times, either, because of injury. That has forced o-line coach Marcus Johnson to be resourceful, starting six different o-line combinations in 2023.

“We’ve battled adversity through injuries, and like I said after the game, just playing musical chairs with who is at what position,” said 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 (yards vs. Minnesota). That’s a big deal.”

2023 Purdue offensive line starting combinations

LTLGCRGRTTimes used
Mahamane MoussaPreston NicholsAustin JohnsonJalen GrantMarcus Mbow1
Mahamane MoussaPreston NicholsJosh KaltenbergerJalen GrantMarcus Mbow2
Mahamane MoussaPreston NicholsGus HartwigJalen GrantMarcus Mbow3
Mahamane MoussaPreston NicholsGus HartwigJalen GrantBen Farrell2
Daniel JohnsonPreston NicholsGus HartwigJalen GrantBen Farrell1
Ben FarrellPreston NicholsGus HartwigJalen GrantJosh Kaltenberger1

• Crazy to think Purdue (3-7 overall; 2-5 Big Ten) has yet to play a team with a losing record this season. It finally will do so when it takes on Indiana (3-7) in the finale.

“Obviously, the win-loss column is not what we wanted it to be at this point,” said Walters. “But I do think we have improved as a roster, as a program, not only on the field, but just the culture, the way we operate, the consistency with which we practice, buy-in from the guys, just all the things that make up a program in order to have sustained success.

“I think those things are getting put in place, and we’re just trying to finish out the season strong so we gain some momentum and confidence going into next year.”

• This will be Purdue’s first trip to Ryan Field since 2019, when it toppled NU 24-22 with walk-on QB Aidan O’Connell making his first career start. (The schools met in Wrigley Field in 2021, also a Boiler win.)

Is this the last time Purdue will play in this incarnation of Ryan Field? There are plans–on hold for now–for a wholesale makeover of the Wildcats’ venue, a renovation that is expected to take two years. NU could play games at Solider Field and Wrigley Field during work on the project.

The $800 million rehab of Ryan Field has been controversial from the start. Proponents and opponents of the privately-funded development have repeatedly clashed, prompting revisions to the plan along the way.

Plans call for the stadium to see capacity go from 47,000 to 35,000 for football games. But the big issue are plans to use the venue for things other than football.

To do that, the university needs zoning approval from the Evanston City Council to allow for up to six concerts a year, as well as a host of smaller events. Northwestern officials say they can’t move forward with the plans without the concert approval.

The Evanston City Council still must approve the project.

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 | Center, guard, tackle, Josh Kaltenberger fits in anywhere along Purdue o-line | Yanni Karlaftis forging own identity | Number Crunching: Week 12

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