Jeff Brohm: Final words before Purdue-Illinois game
It’s gonna be cold, and a bit windy, when Purdue plays at Illinois on Saturday. But Boilermaker coach Jeff Brohm is undaunted.
“It’s November in the Big Ten,” said Brohm after practice on Thursday. “So, we’ve got to just come out and execute and play through any elements that there are and figure out a way to win.”
A win is necessary for Purdue (5-4 overall; 3-3 Big Ten) to maintain its place in the Big Ten West title chase. The Boilermakers’ don’t control their own destiny. But one thing is certain: They need to beat the No. 21 Fighting Illini (7-2; 4-2) to keep hope alive.
The good news: There was plenty of juice this week in practice as Purdue heads to Champaign for a noon ET kickoff to battle Big Ten West-leading Illinois.
“There was quite a bit of spirit, quite a bit of emotion, and that’s good,” said Brohm. “And we’ve had good weeks of practice. Was this week even higher energy? Yes. I think our guys understand what it takes to win. The focus it takes, the preparation it takes and then come game day, the execution it takes. I just think we’ve come up a little short on those things.
“When you have some games that you haven’t played to your capability, you got to just refocus and go back to work and not lose your confidence. So, really, that’s the key, making sure our guys go out and play confident against a really good team.”
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Purdue has dominated this rivalry of late, winning five of six meetings. The Boilers also have won the last five meetings for the Cannon in Champaign dating to a 2010 loss in Memorial Stadium.
A win would not only allow Purdue to keep the Cannon, but it also would make the Boilermakers bowl-eligible for the fourth time under Brohm while also ending Purdue’s two-game slide. To prevail, however, the Boilermakers will need to contain Illini running back Chase Brown, who leads the nation with 1,344 yards rushing.
“They’ve had a really good year to this point, led by strong running game, really good running back,” said Brohm. “When you put up those type of numbers against these defenses, it’s really good. They’ve got an efficient quarterback, the offensive line has played well.”
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Health-wise, Purdue will travel to Illinois in pretty good shape. But among the missing will be receiver Broc Thompson and running back King Doerue. Thompson has been out since the second game of the season on Sept. 10 vs. Indiana State due to a knee injury that required surgery. And this will be the second game in a row and sixth time this season Doerue has been out because of a calf injury.
Jack Ansell is expected to punt despite dealing with tendonitis in his right knee that saw him give way to Brendan Cropsey for Purdue’s final punt last week.
As for star wideout Charlie Jones, who has been banged up all season and rarely practices … will he be ready to go?
“I think so,” said Brohm, who also needs quarterback Aidan O’Connell to get on track after he has tossed five interceptions the last two games. “I think it’s that time of the year. He been able to play through things and I think will go out there and give us good effort.”
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The secondary has come under scrutiny in recent weeks, as allowing big plays has been an issue. Any shake-up there?
“It’s gonna be the same guys we’re rolling with and I think they’ve had a good week of practice,” said Brohm. “And I’d like to see them go out there and prove how good they can play.”
