Purdue Boilermakers: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Purdue Boilermakers: Key To The 2022 Offense
Be more effective running the ball.
Purdue’s passing game was great, it will be fantastic again once the receivers rise up, and the more QB Aidan O’Connell gets to do, the better. It would be nice, though, if there was a wee bit of a running game to help the cause.
The Boilermakers didn’t avoid running. They just couldn’t do it.
The problem wasn’t that they only averaged 84 rushing yards per game. It was that they only averaged more than three yards per carry against UConn and Indiana.
It was the least effective rushing attack since 2013 – that team went 1-11 – but as long as it can get to four yards per pop, it’ll be doing its job.
And on the other side …
Purdue Boilermakers: Key To The 2022 Defense
Stop the run.
It really shouldn’t matter all that much what the run defense does – the Purdue offense can crank it up through the air and do what it must to keep up. However, it just so happened that the teams that could run on the Boilermaker front seven ended up winning …
Almost. Tennessee steamrolled its way for 281 yards in the bowl and lost, and it’s not quite right to suggest that Ohio State and Wisconsin beat Purdue because they each ran for well over 200 yards.
The Michigan State pass defense was so awful that it wasted a huge day from Kenneth Walker and the ground game in Purdue’s 40-29 win, and Illinois made things way too interesting by hammering away. However, just like the offensive side, it’s a wee bit more about the yards per carry than the bulk rushing numbers.
Purdue held Minnesota and Notre Dame in check on the ground and lost, but that was more on the offensive side. In general, keep the that side from going off for five yards per carry or more, and good things will happen for this D.
Purdue Boilermakers: Key Player To The 2022 Season
RB King Doerue, Sr.
To keep harping on the running game, the line has to do its part, the offense has to commit to it a little bit more, and the running backs have to make more things happen.
Doerue hasn’t been a workhorse, and he only ran for two touchdowns last season, but he’s a good receiver and led the team with 530 yards.
He averages well under four yards per carry in his three years, but if he can boost that up with a few big pops, he’ll be doing his job.
Purdue Boilermakers: Key Transfer
WR Tyrone Tracy, Jr.
It’ll be hard to replace some of the lost stars for the passing game, but at least the Boilermakers are bringing in a veteran who knows what he’s doing in the slot.
Tracy is a running back-sized tough target who made 65 catches over the last three seasons at Iowa for 871 yards and five scores. He didn’t do much against Purdue over the years, but he should have his best statistical season in a more receiver-friendly attack.
Purdue Key Game To The 2022 Season
Penn State, Sept. 3
Purdue is coming off a terrific year, but nothing would crank up 2022 like taking care of Penn State at home in the Big Ten opener.
The trip to Wisconsin is a problem, and going to Minnesota isn’t going to be easy, but the Iowa game is at home coming off a two week break.
Beat Penn State, and all of a sudden the toughest games on the slate won’t seem so rough. Even better, win, and there’s chance for a 4-0 September with a win at Syracuse.
Purdue Boilermakers: 2021 Fun Stats
– 2nd Quarter Scoring: Purdue 141 – Opponents 77
– Penalties: Opponents 77 for 669 yards – Purdue 58 for 557 yards
– Fumbles: Opponents 19 (lost 4) – Purdue 11 (lost 7)
Purdue 2022 Preview
Offense, Defense Breakdown
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Purdue Top 10 Players | Purdue Schedule & Analysis