Nebraska closed out the first quarter of the 2024 season on a sour note, falling to No. 24 Illinois in overtime after one too many miscues once again caused their downfall.
The main two issues were not stopping Illinois’ passing game and botching one offensive drive that saw a touchdown and a field goal slip through its fingers.
Now, the Huskers hit the road for the first time this season, needing to respond to the loss to the Fighting Illini. Their matchup against Purdue could do just that, as this is the Boilermakers’ third straight game facing an opponent coming off a rough loss at home.
Notre Dame blew out Purdue 66-7 after losing to Northern Illinois, and then they lost to Oregon State 38-21 after the Beavers were demolished 49-14 by Oregon.
The Husker’s offense could have a field day against Purdue both on the ground and the air.
Oregon State decimated the Boilermakers in the run game, rushing for 341 yards off 51 attempts for four touchdowns while throwing ten completions off 18 passes for 104 yards.
Now, Purdue is set to face Dylan Raiola, who’s averaging almost 21 completions and 241.8 passing yards per game. This, along with the Huskers averaging 140.5 rushing yards per game, gives the Boilermakers a big test defensively.
But last week showed that Nebraska’s defense versus Purdue’s offense could be the deciding factor. The Huskers had no answers for Luke Altmyer in the Illinois loss, allowing the senior to throw 21-of-27 for 215 yards and four touchdowns, with most of his incompletions being simple drops by receivers.
Hudson Card for Purdue was quiet in the loss to Oregon State, throwing for 7-of-17 for 56 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
The Boilermakers stuck to the ground game, going for 263 total yards and two touchdowns. Purdue scored two touchdowns late in the game on the ground after breaking out big runs against the Beavers.
Nebraska needs to keep Card from exploiting its passing struggles, but it can’t let the Boilermakers run it down its throats, either. If the Huskers’ offense continues to thrive and the defense delivers a solid bounce-back game, this first road game should favor Nebraska.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 31, Purdue 17