Ten observations: Purdue-Northwestern

EVANSTON, Ill. — Here is what has us talking after Purdue’s 23-15 loss at Northwestern on Saturday at Ryan Field.

1 – News broke a few hours before kickoff that QB Hudson Card would be out with injury (ribs). He was hurt in last week’s win vs. Minnesota and was ruled out by the staff on Thursday.

That thrust redshirt freshman Bennett Meredith into the starting lineup. Purdue also used true freshman Ryan Browne, as they rotated series. (Card is expected back next week.)

“Hudson is our starter,” said Ryan Walters. “You got two guys that haven’t taken a snap. So, there’s definitely things that from a schematic standpoint that we tried to do to help those guys cater to what their comfort level was.”

The plan was for the QB with the hot hand to take over. Neither emerged, though Brown was used for the last two series because the staff felt more comfortable with him.

2 – The Meredith and Browne rotation was a mixed bag, with neither signal-caller distinguishing himself. Neither had much success throwing the ball down field for a largely anemic passing attack that handcuffed the offense all day. If one had an edge, it appeared to be Browne.

QB comparison:

Meredith: 5 of 7, 36 yards; 7 yards rushing on 4 carries

Browne: 12 of 16, 104 yards, 2 INTs; 85 yards rushing on 21 carries; engineered both TD drives

“Nobody separated themselves in practice,” said Walters. “They both add different elements to our ability to run the offense. So, we’re going to give both of them opportunity and just kind of go with what we felt was operating the offense more efficiently.”

3 – Card wasn’t the only key player missing today: OLB Nic Scourton also was out with injury. Big loss, as he entered the day with a Big Ten-high 8.0 sacks.

Khordae Sydnor stepped in. And the D notched five sacks and six TFLs. But for the second week in a row, the defense allowed an easy TD on the opening drive.

“Our Achilles’ heel this season has been explosive plays,” said Walters.

4 – What was Purdue thinking the moment before the end of the first half when it had Browne throw from his own end zone with 35 seconds left … and was intercepted.

“So, we said, let’s take a shot to Deion (Burks),” said Walters. “If they go to Cover Two and he’s not open, just throw it out of bounds. So, they actually went Cover Two, he wasn’t open, and he didn’t throw it out of bounds.”

Purdue got a break, as NU ended up missing a field goal, as the game went to halftime 6-0, NU.

5 – Run the ball. It worked well last week in the 49-30 triumph vs. Minnesota, as the Boilers ran for 353 yards with Devin Mockobee and Tyrone Tracy each eclipsing the 100-yard rushing mark.

And, the Boilers traveled by ground often today, too, which helped take pressure off the neophyte quarterbacks. No doubt who today’s stars were: Tracy and Mockobee. Take a bow, fellas.

Purdue finished with 303 yards rushing. Tracy had 160, and Mockobee had 54. Tracy also led the team with four catches for 38 yards.

6 – More maddening short-yardage struggles. Purdue faced a 4th-and-2 in the red zone early in the second quarter trailing 6-0, and Tracy was stuffed.

In the second quarter, Purdue was stymied at the goal line on three consecutive runs.

It’s a scene that has played out too often in recent seasons for the Boilermakers, who struggle to get a push with an often makeshift line.

“We got it to the 1-yard a couple times and couldn’t get it in there,” said Walters.

7 – Ben Freehill was off the mark with a 44-yard field-goal attempt in the first quarter that could have cut into NU’s 6-0 lead. It was deflating. This, after Freehill had made two field goals at Michigan two weeks ago.

Boilermaker kickers are a Big Ten-worst 5-of-13 on the season on field-goal attempts.

8 – Mistakes, mistakes, mistakes. Purdue muffed a punt, mishandled a kickoff, fumbled four times and lost two and threw two interceptions. And there was the aforementioned missed field goal. Too many miscues for a team that had little margin for error without its QB.

9 – The o-line shuffle continued. Tackles Daniel Johnson, Mahamane Moussa and Ben Farrell were listed as “questionable” for the game. It took a lot for Moussa to gut it out; he was supposed to be used in emergency but was needed to play; Farrell tried to play but was unable. Johnson played.

The unit also saw Gus Hartwig again play some tackle in addition to center. The front has been a patchwork for much of this season. Kudos to the staff for making the most of a tough situation.

10 – Whatever faint bowl hopes Purdue clung to when the day began have evaporated, as the Boilermakers have sunk to 3-8 overall and 2-6 in the Big Ten. All that’s left is to play for is pride and to retain the Old Oaken Bucket when Indiana visits next Saturday. It’s been a long season.