Purdue football notebook: Cake? Pie? Cookies? Aidan O'Connell's wife bakes confections for her hubby's blockers
Purdue OT Eric Miller fancies himself a baker. But, he’s no match for Aidan O’Connell’s wife, Jael.
The former Purdue volleyball player, who wed the Boilermaker signal-caller over the summer, cooks up some type of confection for hubby Aidan to take to his o-line buddies each Monday.
“It’s been very nice,” said the 6-7, 305-pound Miller, who no doubt could woof a bag of powdered sugar donuts. “And we’re very appreciative of it.”
Miller’s favorite Jael O’Connell goodie? “As the baker in the group, I have to have a good opinion on this. It’s all been really good. There was an apple crumble a couple weeks ago that was very good.”
Does Aidan ever put on an apron and whip up a dozen monster cookies for his blockers?
“I don’t think he has yet,” said Miller. “Maybe he will. Who knows? I’ll let everyone keep guessing.”
In case you’re wondering: The quality of the dessert remains the same, regardless of how well Miller and his linemates protected Jael’s husband the week before.
“It’s been pretty consistent throughout,” said Miller.
Purdue ranks No. 5 in the Big in sacks allowed (1.6 per game). Not bad. Keep it up, and perhaps Jael will make each lineman a bundt cake or rhubarb pie at the end of the season . …
The last time Iowa visited Ross-Ade Stadium, it was the first game of the 2020 COVID season. Only 900 fans were in attendance. But, most noteworthy: Jeff Brohm was sitting at his house at kickoff, forced to isolate after he had tested positive for COVID.
“Well, I mean, that’s never any fun. I try not to relive those moments,” said Brohm. “I was good enough to do what I needed to do, but there were COVID rules you had to abide by, and I do abide by rules, I guess.”
Younger brother Brian Brohm, the co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach, served as acting head coach on that Oct. 24th day, leading the Boilermakers to a 24-20 victory. …
Payne Durham’s 17 career TD catches rank second among tight ends in Purdue annals. …
Durham will face off vs. Iowa TE Sam LaPorta, who leads Big Ten tight ends with 41 receptions for 387 yards and no TDs. Durham is No. 2 among league tight ends with 39 grabs for 376 yards and 4 TDs. …
A win vs. the Hawkeyes would make Purdue 6-3 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000-2001. …
Iowa ranks last in the Big Ten in scoring offense (16.4 ppg) and total offense (248.6 ypg) and is second-to-last in passing offense (155.1 ypg) and rushing offense (93.5 ypg). …
In the last three games, Purdue has a -3 turnover margin but is 2-1. …
The last time Purdue beat Iowa three times in a row? It was when the Boilermakers won 20 in a row vs. the Hawkeyes from 1961-80. …
Brohm’s final words: Purdue ready to deal with rain, wind and Iowa on Saturday
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Jeff Brohm is 4-1 vs. Iowa. But, his teams have scored over 30 points just once vs. the Hawkeyes: 38-36 win at home in 2018. That day, Spencer Evans made a 25-yard field goal with 8 seconds left to lift the Boilermakers to victory. …
Good news for Iowa: WR David Bell is now catching passes for the Cleveland Browns. In three career games vs. the Hawkeyes, Bell made 37 catches for 558 yards (15.1 ypc) and five TDs. Last season, he shredded the Hawkeyes for 240 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches as Purdue shocked the No. 2-ranked Hawkeyes, 24-7.
In two starts vs. Iowa, Aidan O’Connell has hit 72 percent of his passes (65-of-90) for 657 yards with five TDs and two interceptions. He also has a 2-0 record vs. the Hawkeyes. …
Brohm is 4-1 vs. Iowa. For perspective, Darrell Hazell was 0-4, Danny Hope was 1-1, Joe Tiller was 4-6, Jim Colletto was 1-2-1, Fred Akers was 0-4 and Leon Burtnett was 1-4.
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A win would keep Purdue in control of its own destiny in the Big Ten West chase with a big game looming next week at Illinois. …
Yes, the Hawkeyes permitted a combined 81 points to Michigan and Ohio State, but the defense yielded an average of 7.5 points in the other six games. …
The sledding could be tough for Purdue RB Devin Mockobee. Iowa is allowing 93.5 yards rushing per game (No. 4 in the Big Ten). …
Jeff Brohm in November as Purdue coach
- 2017: 3-1
- 2018: 2-2 (3 OT loss to Wisconsin)
- 2019: 2-2 (2 OT loss to Indiana)
- 2020: 0-3
- 2021: 3-1
- Total: 10-9
The 3-2-1: Will November be month to remember?
Matchup preview: Iowa at Purdue
