Old National Presents: The 3-2-1

Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s The 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.

Three things learned

1 – Time to get a grip

It sure feels that way, at least. Listen to ticket-buying fans. The frustration is mounting.

No one expected big things in 2024. A five- or six-win season seemed plausible. What was expected from everyone: A squad that would be competitive.

Not a good look.

This team has looked moribund the last two weeks. An historic home loss to Notre Dame followed by a defeat vs. an Oregon State squad ditched by its coach and gutted by the portal.

Message boards are an inferno as Purdue welcomes Nebraska for homecoming and the Big Ten opener on Saturday. There’s still plenty of runway left on this season, but it feels like a tipping point may be reached soon … if it hasn’t already.

Can the Boilermakers and Ryan Walters right their listing ship?

2 – Pump up the pass

If you are still staring blankly at your TV, it’s understandable. The loss at Oregon State sunk Purdue to a new low under Walters. The most jaw-dropping stat from the 38-21 loss: 57 yards passing.

This from the “Cradle of Quarterbacks,” home to Griese, Dawson, Phipps, Herrmann, Everett and Brees … (feel free to clutch your pearls here).

That’s the Boilermakers’ fewest passing yards in a game since a 52-yard passing effort in a 44-10 loss at Illinois in 2010. During that inglorious day, Sean Robinson completed 7-of-20 passes with a TD.

Can it be fixed? Walters has talked with Hudson Card about the aerial game.

“I’ve had one-on-one conversations with him,” said Walters. “… I’m the head coach, and that’s our quarterback. So, absolutely, we’ve about conversations.”

Walters was tight-lipped on discussing any details on Monday.

“I think we’ll keep those issues in house so we’re not tipping our hand to our opponent, but there are definitely things that we’ve talked about, have addressed, and looking forward to seeing what that looks like on Tuesday’s practice,” said Walters.

MORE: First look: Nebraska | First and 10 | Purdue’s Ryan Walters hears outside noise, but he’s not listening

3 – Hello, Nyland

Purdue seemingly will get a boost on Saturday with the debut of Nyland Green, who Walters said on Monday he expects to play vs. the Huskers.

The Georgia transfer has yet to suit up because of a foot injury after transferring from Georgia. He is a former four-star recruit who was thought to be Purdue’s No. 1 cornerback.

The secondary also will have CB Derrick Rogers back. He didn’t make the trip to Oregon State for an in-house issue. No doubt, having those two will help vs. phenom Husker QB Dylan Raiola.

Two questions

1 – Any wideouts home?

The unit is going to be without arguably its top two options on Saturday. Walters said after the Oregon State game that Jahmal Edrine will be out three or four weeks (knee). CJ Smith has yet to play a snap because of a hamstring. When will he suit up? “I don’t know if he is going to come back soon,” said Walters.

So, who will become the alpha wideout? Sans Edrine and Smith last week, no one stood out in the dreary 38-21 loss at Oregon State in which Purdue had a stupefying 57 yards pass. Only four receivers caught passes: Leland Smith, Andrew Sowinski, De’Nylon Morrissette and Jayden Dixon-Veal.

Opportunity looms. Who will seize it?

2 – Is this a running team?

It looks like a ground-pounding philosophy may be the way to go for this attack, which has no identity through three games.

Devin Mockobee always runs with pride and purpose, both traits on full display on Saturday in a 168-yard effort (10.5 ypc). Reggie Love is good, too, while the line has shown it can be physical in helping Purdue run for 263 yards (8.8 ypc) last Saturday.

The run game was a strong point last year, when Purdue finished No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing in Big Ten play (184.6 ypg).

Purdue’s offense needs to hang its hat on something. Maybe it can continue to embrace the running game.

“The running backs did a great job (at OSU), the o-line did a great job,” said offensive coordinator Graham Harrell. “We obviously ran the ball pretty successful.”

“You can build on what we did in the run game, especially just from an effort and physicality standpoint.”

One bold statement: Max Klare will have at least 8 targets Saturday

It’s this simple: Purdue’s offense needs Klare to be a focal point. He was targeted five times last week and led the team with two catches with a pretty 32-yard TD catch. Klare has to be more involved.

“We try to get Max touches,” said Harrell. “I think he’s a special player and we’ll continue to do that whether it be, screens, the pass game, just try to find ways to get him singled up … “