Ten observations: Purdue-Illinois

This is what has us talking after Purdue’s 44-19 win vs. Illinois on homecoming.

1 – Whew!

Purdue needed this victory, ending a two-game slide and getting its first win in renovated Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers exit September with a 2-3 mark. Not ideal, but better than 1-4. Even sweeter for Ryan Walters: He got his first Big Ten win and Ross-Ade victory vs. his former boss, Bret Bielema.

“I haven’t thought about who the opponent was,” said Walters. “I’m just looking at what the offense does and how to stop it. Defense does how to stop it. And all the things that were riding on this game, regardless of my history with the opponent … So, I’m happy for our guys to prepare the way they were supposed to.”

Getting the six wins needed for bowl eligibility could be a challenge: The remaining schedule: at Iowa, Ohio State, at Nebraska, at Michigan, Minnesota, at Northwestern, Indiana. Worry about that later. Enjoy this victory now.

“It was good to see the guys practice the way they did and prepare the way they did under the circumstances of the first four games,” said Walters. “I’ve been saying this team will continue to get better as the year goes and I think this is just an example of that. I’m proud of the guys for the way they played.”

2 – Shaking things up

Walters altered how the defensive staff was arranged with DC Kevin Kane working from the box instead of the field. The results were good, as Illinois finished with just 375 and 19 points. Walters and Kane had a similar arrangement when they worked at Illinois.

“Kane can see the game better from up top,” said Walters, whose defense held the Illini to 2-of-13 on third down. “That’s the way we operated a year ago. And so I was just trying to help with him and him seeing the game. He was very communicative up top. And it just worked obviously and so I’m happy that we were able to do that as a staff.”

Another change: OC Graham Harrell worked from the box after being on the field, switching spots with TE coach Seth Doege, who was in the box as Harrell’s eyes in the sky.

3 – Isn’t that special

Did you see Deion Burks? No. 4 flashed why he is so special and so essential to this offense’s success. He’s a big play waiting to him, a unique combination of speed, strength and explosiveness. Burks finished with a team-best five catches for 83 yards and a TD.

This must continue.

“He’s a huge part (of our offense),” said Hudson Card. “You’ll his speed and how fast he is and just to have a guy like that who can take the top off. Give him jet sweeps and find a way into the end zone. Really, really special player and the sky’s the limit for him going forward.”

4 – Defensive TD!

The D got on the board first today when CB Markevious Brown streaked in on a blitz, jarring the ball loose Illinois QB Luke Altmyer. Boilermaker d-lineman Joe Anderson recovered in the end zone.

It was Purdue’s first defensive TD since Cory Trice had a pick-six at Indiana last year. Purdue’s last fumble recovered for a touchdown was George Karlaftis who returned one 56 yards against Wisconsin in 2021.

5 – We’ve seen this before

Devin Mockobee fumbled … again. It killed a promising second quarter drive. Illinois answered with a TD to take a 10-6 lead. It was Mockobee’s sixth fumble on the season.

But Mockobee was put back in the game soon thereafter. Purdue needs him, showing faith by letting him scoot in for a 3-yard TD in the third quarter. Mockobee finished with 67 yards on 14 totes.

“We don’t really care who gets the ball as long as we are producing on the field,” said Tracy. “If one person is down, that means somebody has to step up. … We have each other’s back, no matter what.

“Obviously, Mock had that fumble today, but no one was on his case. … We are over there picking him up. I’m over there telling my bro god has got a plan for you.”

6 – Hang your hat on the back

Purdue needs to feed its running backs often. Lather them up. Feature them. Feed them the rock. The trio of Tyrone Tracy, Mockobee and Dylan Downing is very good. The offense finished with 189 yards rushing (4.2 ypc). Tracy had 112 yards rushing on 21 carries with a TD.

7 – Getting his kicks

Maybe Purdue has something in K Julio Macias. Yes, he missed a PAT, but his 40-yard first-half field was a beaut. The guy has a strong leg. Ben Freehill may be back next week from injury after missing the last two games. Who will handle field goals next week at Iowa?

8 – Gettin’ after it

The Purdue D brought the heat today, time and again harassing the Illini quarterback with a variety of looks and blitzes and stunts.

The staff has done a good job weaponizing Sanoussi Kane all over the field, pacing the defense with nine tackles. And Yanni Karlaftis enjoyed his best career game with OC Brothers out with injury, notching his first career sack and finishing second on the squad with eight tackles. The defense finished with five sacks and seven TFLs to go with four QB hurries.

“Defensively, I thought Kane and defensive staff really put some ideas together that we were able to execute and the guys bought in and really dove into the film study,” said Walters. “So, they were anticipating instead of reacting to what was going on out there, and that pays dividends on critical downs.”

9 – Dominance of Illinois continues

Death, taxes, beating Illinois. So it is for Purdue, which has won the last four meetings. Since 2003, the Boilermakers have now claimed the Cannon in 15 of the 19 games, including seven of the last eight years.

“I’m still like in game mode,” said Walters. “I haven’t been able to really take a breath yet. I’m sure it will be a very deep exhale when I sit down and digest sort of what was going on today. But there’s really no time to relax. Everybody knew the schedule was going to be tough this season.”

10 – Balance

The offense had it on this day, finishing with 189 yards rushing, 217 yards passing and 406 total yards. It was Purdue’s best offensive effort of the season with QB Hudson Card leading the way. He hit 18-of-26 passes with two TDs and no picks.

“I thought Graham and his crew did a great job of putting a plan together and understanding where we were going to try to get attacked,” said Walters.