The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Purdue – INSIDE SLANT
Although the Boilermakers have played just three games and are coming off the bye week, some early season trends have developed.
Purdue’s defensive line is as good as advertised. Kawann Short and Bruce Gaston have plugged up several holes, forcing opponents to the outside. End Ryan Russell is off to a solid start. Depth is also a strength.
The Boilermakers have become a more disciplined team, especially when it comes to penalties. Through three games last year, the Boilermakers were flagged 23 times and finished with the most of any Big Ten team.
This year, the number is 14.
It’s hard to argue with 13-for-13 inside the red zone. Even more impressive is Purdue has scored 12 touchdowns and settled for one field goal.
But the Boilermakers have some issues to work out. They’ve committed nine turnovers, but the defense has been stout enough to limit the damage. Seven turnovers have come from the quarterback position.
The kicking game remains influx. Three extra points have been missed already. Not a good sign, especially when the Big Ten games are expected to be close.
Quarterback play also needs to improve. Coach Danny Hope said Caleb TerBush separated himself during training camp to keep the No. 1 spot.
But TerBush was suspended for the first game and hasn’t played like a top quarterback in the last two outings. With Robert Marve out with another knee injury, it’s time for TerBush to step up and lead the offense.
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NCAAF Team Report – Purdue – NOTES, QUOTES
–Robert Marve has been cleared to go through individual drills. Team drills, not quite yet.
Marve was back on the practice field last week, and coach Danny Hope remains optimistic the sixth-year senior can return this season after suffering his third torn ACL in the Sept. 9 loss at Notre Dame. Marve isn’t scheduled to undergo surgery.
“I anticipate him being cleared and starting to get team reps,” Hope said. “The little bit I watched him he looked good. I can’t tell any difference. He doesn’t run full speed in practice, but he looks good on his drops and looks confident with his feet underneath him and he’s throwing the ball well.
Hope said the swelling in Marve’s left knee has subsided enough to allow him to work out. However, Hope doesn’t anticipate Marve being able to play in Purdue’s next game, which is Sept. 29 against Marshall at Ross-Ade Stadium.
–Two areas of emphasis during the bye week have been pass protection and eliminating turnovers. The Boilermakers have allowed seven sacks and committed nine turnovers.
“We have to do a better in ball security,” coach Danny Hope said. “We’ve turned the ball over several times this year. We’ve manufactured a lot of takeaways and it’s evened out in some ways, but ball security is an issue we have to get a handle on.”
–Quarterback Caleb TerBush said he’s experienced “one or two” migraine headaches a year. He dealt with one about 24 hours before the Sept. 15 game against Eastern Michigan.
“They were saying it was something with my diet or what not,” TerBush said. “I got it all figured out and I’ll be all right. It’s never been a problem. It hit me that one day and threw me for a loop. I don’t plan on it affecting me the rest of the season.”
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting against Marshall.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: With the Big Ten Conference wide open, the Boilermakers will need more consistent production in order to challenge for the top spot in the Leaders Division. Purdue produced numerous big plays in its last game against Eastern Michigan, but that’s a fair assessment of what may happened when league play begins Oct. 6. The offensive line is the major question mark as pressure on the quarterbacks has increased in recent weeks.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Boilermakers will go as far as their defense will take them. The front four remain solid and cornerbacks Ricardo Allen and Josh Johnson are two of the best in the Big Ten. Improved play at linebacker and from the safety positions remain the question marks.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Looks like he’s going to make a comeback.” — Coach Danny Hope on quarterback Robert Marve, who suffered his third career knee injury but still plans on playing again this season.
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NCAAF Team Report – Purdue – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK’S GAME: Marshall at Purdue, Sept. 29 — Fresh off a double overtime victory at Rice, the Thundering Herd brings one of the nation’s top offenses to Ross-Ade Stadium. Led by quarterback Rakeem Cato, Marshall ranks No. 1 in passing offense and seventh in total offense. This will be a stern test for the Boilermakers’ defense, which has performed well in the first three games. It’s Purdue’s final non-conference game before Big Ten season begins Oct. 6 against Michigan.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The defense will be tested and can’t let Cato and the Thundering Herd put up big numbers. The Boilermakers have been solid against the run this season, but have allowed numerous big plays in the passing game. Meanwhile, Purdue’s offense has a chance to exploit a Marshall defense that ranks near the bottom nationally in rushing, scoring and total defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
CB Ricardo Allen — The junior should have plenty of opportunities to make plays against Cato, who has thrown for 1,481 yards. As the team’s nickel back, Allen will be all over the field in hopes of creating favorable matchups for Purdue’s secondary.
QB Caleb TerBush — Hasn’t played well in his first two games, but will have several opportunities to shine against a woeful Marshall defense. TerBush and the offense produced four touchdowns of 40 yards or more in the Sept. 15 win over Eastern Michigan and will be in position to do so again.
DT Kawann Short — Will be presented with chances to disrupt the Marshall offensive line, which is allowed an average of two sacks per game. Not sure the Thundering Herd have seen a player with Short’s talents.
ROSTER REPORT
–Cody Webster has placed 10 of his 12 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Notre Dame is the only team to score against the Boilermakers from inside the 20 following a Webster punt.
–RB Ralph Bolden is still practicing but hasn’t played in the first three games. Last year’s leading rusher is coming off his third ACL surgery, but anticipates playing this season.
–Antwon Higgs started as a linebacker, moved to defensive end, made a brief stop at fullback and is now a linebacker again.The senior from Pompano Beach, Fla., has settled into his new-old position.”My heart was always at linebacker. I was trying to find other ways to get on the field because it felt like I wasn’t getting chances at linebacker. Now, I have my chance and I’m trying to make the most of it.”
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