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Upon further review: Purdue-Iowa

On3 imageby:Tom Dienhart•11/06/22•

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WR Charlie Jones (Krockover Photography)

The game has been re-watched. Here is what stood out.

Three stars

1 – WR Charlie Jones. There was much fanfare about him facing off vs. his former team. And, Jones was solid, making 11 catches. But they went for no TDs and only 104 yards. And 41 came on one grab, as he was targeted a whopping 19 times. That comes to a paltry 9.5 yards per catch.

2 – RB Devin Mockobee. When given the chance, he looked good … again. Mockobee tallied 65 yards rushing on 14 carries (4.6 ypc). His 15-yard jaunt set up Purdue at the Iowa 2-yard line in the second quarter. He also had an 18-yard run and caught a pass. Mockobee should have been used more.

3 – DT Lawrence Johnson. He provided a lift on an otherwise dreary day. The fifth-year senior had 1.5 sacks, 1.5 TFLs and three tackles. Johnson also was credited with a QB hurry.

Grading the Boilermakers: Purdue-Iowa

Key moment

Trailing 14-0 in the second quarter and needing some mojo, Purdue was on the move, driving into Hawkeye territory at the 26-yard line. But Aidan O’Connell sailed a pass too high for RB Dylan Downing, resulting in an interception for Iowa LB Seth Benson. It was O’Connell’s second pick of the day. Iowa proceeded to nail a 26-yard field goal to extend its lead to 17-0.

Did you see that?

The fact the Boilermaker Special train stalled out on the way to the field was classic foreshadowing.

Errant passes

As you can see below, both of O’Connell’s interceptions were the result of high passes. The first to Tyrone Tracy and the other to Downing. Iowa scored 10 points off the turnovers.

Best drive

Let’s go with Purdue’s 11-play, 53-yard drive that took 4:27 and ended with a 34-yard Mitchell Fineran field goal. It would be the lone fruitful Boilermaker drive. The three points were nice, but the Boilermakers trailed 17-0 at the time and really needed to punch it in for the TD after a 15-yard Devin Mockobee run got Purdue a first-and-goal at the Iowa 2-yard line. Mockobee never touched the ball again, as the Boilermakers attempted three passes … the last resulting in a sack.

10 Observations: Purdue-Iowa

The Final Word: Purdue’s low-scoring blowout loss to Iowa

It was over when

Purdue opened the second half trailing 17-3. It needed some type of mojo. Maybe the defense could provide it, as Iowa would get the ball first to open the second half. Nope. On the second play of the half, Hawkeye RB Kaleb Johnson raced 75 yards to paydirt to stake Iowa to a 24-3 edge. It felt like “game over” at that point. And, it basically was. Those would be the only points of the final two quarters.

The 3-2-1: Purdue’s loss to Iowa

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Fascinating number

-4, Purdue’s turnover margin the last two games. It -2 vs. Iowa and -2 at Wisconsin. The Boilermakers lost both games. Purdue is -4 on the season in turnover margin.

Odds and ends

Illinois lost to Michigan State on Saturday but remains on top of the West standings with a 4-2 league mark. Purdue, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota are tied in second with 3-3 records. …

Purdue has lost back-to-back games for the first time since ending 2020 with four defeats in a row. …

O’Connell’s 168 yards passing were his fewest ever in a game he started. He was replaced late vs. Iowa by Austin Burton. …

O’Connell now has tossed a Big Ten-high 10 picks. …

Purdue failed to score a touchdown for the first time since 2017 against Wisconsin. …

Purdue has yielded 19 TD passes. Only Indiana has permitted more (21). Purdue’s 8.1 yards allowed per attempt is the highest in the Big Ten. …

Purdue was 2-of-16 on third downs vs. Iowa. …

Purdue ran 74 plays to Iowa’s 58 but was out gained 376-255. Iowa averaged 6.5 yards per play to Purdue’s 3.4.

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