A back and forth quarter in South Bend
Geoffrey Clark has tapped out, so I’ll be taking us home on the quarter analysis. I’m going to do it a bit differently, just going to take you through my thought’s drive by dive. So here we go.
Adjustments out of the half are always a chess match and Purdue had a check on their first drive. The first play was a run, then every other single play on their scoring drive was a pass. Fortunately for the Irish, they held in the redzone, allowing a 34-yard field goal on the first drive. Purdue had the exact outcome on their first drive of the game as well, so even though the Irish gave up points, this is a win for the defense.
Jack Coan’s accuracy continues to be a concern for the Irish offense, as he leaves a pass too high for Michael Mayer who gets crushed. I will give him some credit however, as the next play Coan found Avery Davis in stride for a bomb, a 62-yard scoring strike.
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Unfortunately for the Irish, the 11-point lead was short lived, as Purdue marched right down the field and scored a touchdown of their own. It was helped by a Clarence Lewis pass interference on 3rd down inside the 10-yard lane. It looks like both teams have made good adjustments during the half.
Finally establishing the run with Kyren Williams, it’s nice to see the offensive line get a push. The run game opens up the offense and takes pressure off whoever is at quarterback. It ends up not mattering as Coan looks Kevin Austin’s way and he can’t come down with the catch. He’s having a rough day today. Not official numbers but I have him with 8 targets and no catches. Ouch.
The Boilers do give the Irish some life as their punt returner TJ Sheffield fields the punt around the 2 yard line and gets back to the 4. Bad idea on that one and a boost for the Irish. The bad field position does seem to bother the Boiler as they quickly get out from operating in their endzone. Back to back plays by Justin Ademilola, sack, and Kyle Hamilton, tackle for no gain, forces a 3-and-14 which goes incomplete and gets the Irish the ball back. Would have been nice to get a quick 3-and-out but this will do.
Penalties again, a very good Kyren Williams punt return is called back due to a Bo Bauer holding call. On first down another false start by Tosh Baker, his second one of the game, puts the Irish behind the chains again. They’re shooting themselves in the foot. It doesn’t matter much as Coan finds Braden Lenzy, but again the accuracy, Lenzy had to go down to catch the ball, no chance of gaining any yards after catch.
And that was it, on to the fourth quarter. Yet another tight game for the Irish, so hold on for another exciting finish.
