Purdue (3-5 overall, 1-4 Big Ten) at Minnesota (6-2 overall, 3-2 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (50,805)
TV/Radio: BTN, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Gerad Paker (1st season)
Spread: Minnesota -17, o/u: 57
INSIDE THE GAME
Boilermakers at a Glance
Purdue interim coach Gerad Paker took over for Darrell Hazell, who was relieved of his duties on October 16. Parker, the second-youngest head coach in college football, is still looking for his first win.
Boilermaker quarterback David Blough has four 300-yard passing performances this season, twice as many as any other quarterback in the B1G. The sophomore leads the conference with 2,366 total yards.
Purdue ranks eighth in the country in tackles-for-loss allowed with over four per game.
Keep an eye on DeAngelo Yancey. The wide receiver is a big-play threat who is averaging 37 yards per touchdown catch during his career. Yancey already has a career-best six touchdown receptions this season.
Purdue is on a three-game losing streak against Minnesota.
Senior defensive end Evan Panfil has been a disruptive force for the Boilermakers, recording 10.5 tackles for loss including five sacks.
Coach Speak
“You know, all of the different passing games that they have, they like to throw it around, and they’re skilled at wide receiver. So, from drop-back to play action, three-step, all of the screens, all of the different people, so they get the ball out in space, and just some good athletes. We’re going to have to have a great job of tackling. I think the yards after the catch and keeping the ball in front of us will be a big determination over whether we can win, and the same thing will be with the pressure.” – Tracy Claeys on the Purdue offense
“It’s going to be a physical matchup. You would argue that it could be one of your most physical games you’ve played to date and what they’re going to do to you in the run game. Both backs are good backs that can get you several different ways, and we’re going to have to find a way to sustain and stop the run to keep ourselves in the football game.” – Gerad Paker on Minnesota’s rushing attack
STORYLINE CENTRAL
It’s always interesting to look at your team from the other side, and Travis Miller from Hammer and Rails provides a nice preview of the matchup. One of the highlights is the headline, “Last season Minnesota ran all over Purdue, so expect more of the same.” We like the sound of that.
Nathan Baird of the Lafayette Journal and Courier profiles Purdue’s Evan Panfil. The senior DE is off to a great start, racking up five sacks and 10.5 TFLs.
On Wednesday, the restraining orders against five Gopher football players were settled. Kevin Beckman of the Minnesota Daily has the latest on what’s been a developing story for weeks.
Jonathan Celestin has been on a tear for the Gophers. Celestin paces the Gophers with 59 tackles, including 41 solo. Tom Dienhart has a solid interview with one of Minnesota’s defensive leaders.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
If they can shut down the Boilermaker passing attack. Purdue leads the conference with over 300 yards through the air per game, posing a test for Minnesota’s pass defense. Purdue doesn’t run the ball well, so Minnesota’s secondary is key in limiting Purdue’s air-based offense.
“They like to throw it around, and they’re skilled at wide receiver,” said Tracy Claeys. “So, from drop-back to play action, three-step, all of the screens, all of the different people, so they get the ball out in space, and just some good athletes. We’re going to have to have a great job of tackling.”
The Boilermakers Win If…
They don’t turn the ball over. The Gophers didn’t dominate Illinois last week, but scored on three turnovers to put the game out of reach. Purdue is dead last in the Big Ten at -12 in turnover margin, while the Gophers are leading the way at +10. It’s key for the Boilermakers to hang on to the ball, and force the Gopher offense to string together long, sustained scoring drives.