Matchup Preview: Purdue-Iowa
Purdue vs. Iowa
Saturday, November 5, Noon ET, Ross-Ade Stadium
Surface: Bermuda Grass
Capacity: 57,282 (sold out)
2022 schedules/records: Iowa 4-4 (2-3 Big Ten), Purdue 5-3 (3-2 Big Ten)
Series Notes: For the 93rd time, Purdue and Iowa will meet again on the gridiron. The Boilermakers lead the all-time series 50-39-3. While the Hawkeyes have sustained strong success in recent years, Jeff Brohm has had Kirk Ferentz’s number. Purdue has won four of the five matchups with Iowa in the Brohm era. A surprise win in Iowa City in 2017 kept Purdue alive for a bowl game, and Purdue won a thriller in 2018 in Ross-Ade. After a loss at Kinnick Stadium in 2019, Purdue opened the 2020 season with a 24-20 win over Iowa. No one will forget last year’s trip to Iowa City, as Purdue stunned the No. 2 Hawkeyes 24-7 behind a big day from David Bell.
TV: FS1 (PxP Eric Collins, Analyst Devin Gardner)
Radio: Purdue Sports Properties (PxP Tim Newton, Analyst Pete Quinn, Sidelines Kelly Kitchel)
Line: Purdue -3.5
Pregame: Gold and Black Radio
Purdue Roster | Purdue Game Notes
Iowa running game versus Purdue against the run
A program known for its physical identity, the Hawkeyes have long prided themselves on a strong running game to follow its big, bruising offensive line. This season, however, Iowa’s run game doesn’t measure up to even average standards. The Hawkeyes average just 93 yards per game on the ground, an alarmingly low number for a run-first team. Carries mostly get split between freshman Kaleb Johnson and sophomore Leshon Williams. Johnson turned in a strong performance in the Hawkeyes’ last game vs. Northwestern, averaging more than seven yards per carry. Quarterback Spencer Petras doesn’t pose a big running threat from the quarterback position, though the Hawkeyes will run the occasional jet sweep with their wide receivers.
Purdue’s run game looked strong through the first seven games, but cracks clearly showed in the loss to Wisconsin. The Badgers broke through for more than 170 yards on the ground, but more alarmingly, ripped off a number of explosive runs for big gains. Purdue’s defensive line depth has been an asset all season, and the Boilermakers substituted up front liberally vs. Wisconsin, but it made no difference. Purdue must do a better job at stopping ball carriers in the first two levels, as tackling in the secondary has been shaky at best this season. Can the linebackers get back to filling gaps and force the Hawkeyes to throw? If so, Purdue will be in good shape on Saturday, but that’s not what happened against a similar offensive philosophy in Wisconsin.
Iowa passing game versus Purdue against the pass
The Iowa passing attack, or lack thereof, has garnered plenty of media attention this season. Quarterback Spencer Petras struggled mightily in 2021, but the Hawkeyes didn’t look for a replacement ahead of this season. The numbers haven’t rewarded Iowa’s loyalty, as Petras averages just 151 passing yards per game and his three touchdown passes don’t outweigh his five interceptions. Though Iowa briefly went with backup Alex Padilla against Ohio State, Petras is their guy.
Iowa’s receiver room doesn’t ooze with talent, partially due to two high-profile departures in the transfer portal. Much has been made of Charlie Jones and Tyrone Tracy’s decisions to leave Iowa City and land in West Lafayette, but the Hawkeyes haven’t replaced them well. While tight end Sam LaPorta is a strong target, the receiving corps lacks explosiveness. It was just two years ago when Petras succeeded with receivers like Brandon Smith and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, but those days are gone. Outside of the tight end LaPorta, he’ll look to veteran Nico Ragaini, Arland Bruce IV, and Luke Lachey in Iowa’s play action-driven passing game.
Who will be available to play in Purdue’s secondary on Saturday? After starting cornerbacks Cory Trice and Jamari Brown left the game at Wisconsin with injuries, Purdue turned to walk-on converted receiver Camdyn Childers to get them through the game at corner. During his Monday press conference, Brohm noted that Trice and Brown had not practiced since their injuries. Can they give it a go on Saturday? If not, depth gets very thin. The safety position is a concern, too, as help has been an issue. Purdue leads the Big Ten in explosive pass plays allowed. The Boilermakers don’t get as much pressure on the quarterback as they would like, so they rely more on their secondary. Even against the much-maligned Iowa passing game, keep an eye on Purdue’s personnel when the defense takes the field on Saturday. If healthy, Purdue should feel good in this area. If not, who knows what to expect?
Purdue running game versus Iowa against the run
Devin Mockobee’s debut season continues to look more and more impressive following his 108-yard performance in Madison. The redshirt freshman from Boonville, Ind., averages 80 yards per game and over five yards per carry. Mockobee, who began the season as Purdue’s number four running back, clearly sits atop the depth chart now. Behind him? Injuries continue to linger for King Doerue and Dylan Downing, and their statuses for Saturday remain unclear. Purdue continues to mention using Tyrone Tracy as an option out of the backfield, but that’s yet to become a consistent threat. Kobe Lewis could see a sporadic carry or two, but Purdue will ride the “Mock Train” early and often.
Opponents average just 93 rushing yards per game against the dominant Hawkeye defense. Linebackers Jack Campbell and Seth Benson lead the way, having combined for 146 tackles through eight games, seven coming for a loss. Iowa thrives on coming downhill to stop opposing ball carriers and will force Purdue’s offensive line to get a solid push to create space for Mockobee to operate. Ball security will be critical for Purdue in this one, as the opportunistic Hawkeye defense loves to punch the ball out. While this is Purdue’s best rushing attack since 2018, this will be its stiffest test yet.
Purdue passing game versus Iowa against the pass
Wisconsin’s zone-heavy defensive approach gave Aidan O’Connell fits for the second-straight year. His three interceptions hamstrung Purdue early on and put the Boilermakers in a hole. He’s ready to move on, however, and his success against Iowa in the 2021 upset victory should give him some confidence against a strong Iowa secondary.
Charlie Jones and Payne Durham put strong performances together, and after a much-needed bye week, they should be a little healthier. In the last five matchups with Iowa, a Purdue receiver has racked up a massive day in each of them. Can someone emerge and have an Anthony Mahoungou, Terry Wright, or David Bell type of game? That performance may be needed as Purdue looks to beat the strong Iowa defense over the top.
Iowa corner Riley Moss missed last year’s game with an injury, which helped Purdue spur their classic upset. He’ll be on the field Saturday and figures to match up with Jones, setting up a showdown between two of the Big Ten’s best. Opposing quarterbacks average just 172 yards per game against this dominating defense. They let their corners go one-on-one quite often, and if they can drop both safeties, it makes for tight windows for opposing quarterbacks to work with. Safety Cooper DeJean must be accounted for at all times, as his three interceptions lead the team. Creating separation will be critical for Purdue to try and beat this Iowa defense.
Special teams
After a costly short field goal attempt miss against Wisconsin, Purdue needs kicker Mitchell Fineran to bounce back quickly. During his Tuesday night radio show, Jeff Brohm emphasized the importance of keeping Fineran confident as they enter the season’s last month. While his leg strength has limitations, Purdue needs him to be automatic inside 40 yards. In the same radio show, Brohm praised the growth of punter Jack Ansell. The Australian import’s consistency has drastically improved from freshman to sophomore year. While the return game hasn’t done much, Purdue needs its specialists to thrive in the season’s final month.
Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods is one of the nation’s best, and his unit continues to prove that this season. Punter Tory Taylor may be the best in the nation. He’s booted 15 punts of 50+ yards and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 21 times. When he comes onto the field, he’s a threat to make life miserable for opposing offenses. Freshman kicker Drew Stevens has made 11 of 12 attempts on the year, and the Hawkeyes’ red zone woes give him plenty of opportunity. Iowa’s punt block unit excels, as well. Purdue’s punt protection must be strong, or else it could result in an easy six for the Hawkeyes.
Intangibles
This game’s key storyline lies in Jones and Tracy’s transfers. Iowa defensive backs didn’t stop commenting about Jones this week with the media, and they’d love nothing more to shine against their former teammates. On the flip side, the statistics show that the receivers made the right decision. Can they take the final step and shine against their former school?
Purdue still controls its destiny in the Big Ten West, but how much wind did the loss in Madison take out of the sails? The final score didn’t reflect Purdue’s rough day. With injury questions surrounding many position groups on the Purdue roster, it’s fair to wonder how many key players the Boilermakers will be without.
Iowa’s dealt with plenty of adversity and outside noise this season with seemingly constant criticism from the national media, but the Hawkeyes continue to fight. Yes, they’ve struggled with Purdue, but it’s foolish to count out Kirk Ferentz’s program; that’s as consistent as they come.
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