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Gold and Black Radio: Purdue-Illinois preview show

by: Dub Jellison10/03/25dubjellison
Screenshot 2025-09-19 at 9.38.08 AM


The staff of GoldandBlack.com and host Derek Schultz break down Purdue’s Saturday’s matchup in West Lafayette. It’s everything you need to know heading into the game.

Audio Only

Key Purdue-Illinois matchup

(an excerpt from Jordan Jones’ Matchup Preview)

Illinois passing game versus Purdue against the pass

Altmyer will make his third start against Purdue this weekend. He didn’t exactly shine in 2023 as Purdue raced past his Illini 44-19, but he delivered a gem through the air last season. In the whacky 50-49 win, he threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns, while also giving Purdue problems with his legs. He’s off to a great start in 2025, completing 71% of his passes with an 11-to-zero touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Gone from last season’s squads? Top targets Pat Bryant and Zahkari Franklin. Now, Hank Beatty, who caught just 20 passes last season, stands out as the team’s go-to wide receiver. He’s hauled in 27 passes through five games, and he ranks seventh in the league in receiving yards. Aside from Beatty, it’s a largely anonymous group that follows the “wide receiver by committee” approach. Illinois would like to protect Altmyer better, though, as he’s taken 17 sacks through five games.

Purdue’s pass defense saw its worst performance to date against the Fighting Irish. It started ominously, as Notre Dame connected on a 67-yard bomb to score on its first offensive play. Though Slusher did force the defense’s first and only turnover of the season on a strip sack, nothing else went well for Purdue’s pass defense. The Boilermakers can’t seem to create pressure without bringing extra blitzers, which puts defensive coordinator Mike Scherer in a compromising position.

When the Boilermakers drop more men into coverage, the quarterback tends to find enough time for someone to come open. When Purdue brings more pressure, it’s seen some success getting to the passer, but it puts the secondary in peril. Opposing quarterbacks complete 65% of their passes against Purdue, and the Boilermaker defense still looks for its first interception of the season.

Pregame: Matchup Preview: Illinois at Purdue | Football notebook: Purdue in rush to get Devin Mockobee, run game on track | Projected Purdue depth charts: Illinois | Acrepro.com presents: Wednesday Night LIVE Purdue football chat REPLAY | Four-star prospects headline Purdue visitors list for Illinois game | Opponent View: Illinois | Full circle moment comes for Purdue’s Ryan Browne against Illinois | The 3-2-1: Maturation of a QB, October possibilities, respect for Bret and more |

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