Notebook: True freshman CB Derrick Rogers rising to occasion
As injuries have struck Purdue, it has been all about the next man up. And, in some cases, that has meant inserting an inexperienced player. One of those is cornerback Derrick Rogers.
Rogers made his first career start last week at Iowa after Marquis Wilson suffered a season-ending wrist injury vs. Illinois. That meant Purdue started two true freshmen in the secondary last week at Iowa, as Dillion Thieneman has been a starter at safety all season.
Rogers was a 155-pound wideout at Jones High in Orlando who Ryan Walters signed last February. Rogers has since switched positions and added weight.
“I think the only play that he was pretty upset about was the dropped interception he had in end zone, but he has been covering his tail off,” said Walters. “He has really embraced playing corner. This is his first time he’s ever played corner, and I think he’ll have a long career here, and God-willing, he stays healthy and continues to thrive.”
Rogers will line up on Saturday vs. two elite Ohio State wideouts: Marvin Harrison and Emeka Egbuka.
“Just loved playing the game,” said Walters. “And so when I saw that he was still available in the recruiting process, you know, he qualified late and people didn’t know if he was going to qualify, so I’m like, man, if we get him in the building and get some structure around him, I think this kid can really thrive.
“And, so, sure enough, he gets here, he’s 151 (pounds — and that’s soaking wet 151. Already, he’s gained 20 pounds. What I love about him is he loves ball. He’s naive enough to where the stage is not too bright. He doesn’t know any better.”
• Purdue OC Graham Harrell knows what it’s like to knock off a highly ranked foe. As quarterback at Texas Tech from 2008-08, he crafted an upset of No. 1 Texas in 2008, connecting with wideout Michael Crabtree for a game-winning TD on the final play.
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“With Texas Tech, you were always kind of the underdog, it felt like,” said Harrell. “In the state of Texas, especially back then when you had Texas A&M was still in the Big 12, and you had Oklahoma, you kind of always saw yourself as the little step brother or something.”
• DC Kevin Kane on moving from the field to the box: “I have a better feel for what’s going on up top. When we had success in years past, Walt and I are in constant communication from up in the box, and I’m telling him what’s going on and just kind of flowed. It was a good deal.”
• In the past five seasons, Purdue has gone 3-2 when playing teams ranked in the Top 5.
• Purdue paces the Big Ten with 140 first downs.
• The Boilermakers have knocked off Ohio State four times when the Buckeyes were ranked in the Top 5.
| Date | Score | Location |
| Oct. 20, 1945 | No. 9 Purdue 35, No. 4 Ohio State 13 | Columbus |
| Oct. 15, 1960 | Purdue 24, No. 3 Ohio State 21 | West Lafayette |
| Oct. 6, 1984 | Purdue 28, No. 2 Ohio State 23 | West Lafayette |
| Oct. 20,2018 | Purdue 49, No. 2 Ohio State 20 | West Lafayette |
• Purdue limited Iowa to 28.6 percent passing, the lowest completion percentage yielded by the Boilers since 2006.
• Purdue is the lone Big Ten team to have three receivers ranked in the top 10 in receptions. Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen (25); Deion Burks (24) TJ Sheffield (24).
• Purdue has outscored foes 49-17 in the third quarter.
• S Dillon Thieneman leads all freshmen in America with three interceptions.
