The Boilermakers are looking to build momentum after last week's victory vs. Boston College as they hit the road for the first time when they travel to Nebraska for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday.
Purdue will be greeted by a desperate Nebraska team which is 0-3 for the first time since 1945. This isn't how anyone envisioned the start of the Scott Frost era. But that's exactly where the Cornhuskers are, as they have had issues on both sides of the ball and are riding a seven-game losing streak that dates to last season. A loss to Purdue would be the Huskers' seventh in a row at home. (NU never has lost eight in succession overall or seven in a row at home.) These are painful times for a proud program that has sold out the last 363 games dating to 1962.
The last two weeks have been especially brutal for Nebraska. The Huskers got hammered 56-10 at Michigan last week, after getting dumped 24-19 at home by Troy the week before and falling 33-28 to Colorado in Game One. (NU's opener vs. Akron got canceled due to weather.) After last week's defeat at Michigan, which led 39-0 at halftime, Frost provided Purdue with some bulletin board material when he said Nebraska's next contest was "a game that we can win." Jeff Brohm and Co., took note.
"I think that obviously he was talking after a loss that he didn't like very much, so I get it," said Brohm. "But, no, I think everything that's said is heard, and our team needs to respond and understand that we've got to show up ready to play and this team will be licking their chops trying to get us."
Purdue has had to deal with its own adversity in the form of three home losses—by a combined eight points—to open the season, as the still-developing program has had issues with turnovers and penalties along with a still-developing defense. But the Boilers may have turned a corner last week vs. BC, as Purdue played a complete game for the first time.
Also for the first time this season, there is no drama around who will be the starting quarterback: It'll be David Blough. Why not? The senior is hot, throwing for 868 yards and six touchdowns the last two weeks. Best of all: Blough led the Boilermakers to their first victory of the season last week, as Purdue topped No. 23 Boston College, 30-13, for the program's first triumph vs. a ranked team since 2011. Against the Eagles, Blough hit 21-of-28 passes for 296 yards and three touchdowns. The week before in a 40-37 loss to Missouri, Blough threw for a Purdue single-game record 572 yards and set a Big Ten single-game record with 590 yards of total offense.
Purdue has lost four of five meetings with the Cornhuskers since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011. The Boilers' lone win was a wild 55-45 triumph in Ross-Ade Stadium in 2015. Purdue lost a tough one to Nebraska last season, 25-24, as Boilermakers blew a 24-14 fourth quarter lead and saw the Cornhuskers score the winning TD with 14 seconds left.
Make no mistake about it: This is a huge game for Purdue and its bowl hopes, as it has little wiggle room with three losses already and with contests looming vs. Ohio State, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan State, among others.
Here is a look at the key matchup, the key player and the key position for Purdue in its clash vs. the Cornhuskers.
Key matchup: Purdue defensive line vs. the Nebraska offensive line. The Boilermaker defense came to life last week, limiting Boston College to just 229 total yards and only 85 yards rushing. Star BC running back AJ Dillon was stuffed, notching just 59 yards rushing on 19 totes. This by far was the most spirited defensive effort of the season for Purdue, which played with an aggressive edge. The Boilers need to duplicate that effort on Saturday vs. a Nebraska offensive line that is last in the league in sacks allowed (3.0 pg) and has struggled in the run game, too. The move of Derrick Barnes from linebacker to defensive end was genius, as Barnes had three TFLs and two sacks vs. BC to ignite what had been a moribund pass rush. Purdue needs to bottle up a pedestrian Husker rushing attack and make true freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez—who has battled back from a knee injury suffered in the opener vs. CU—try to win the game by throwing. Purdue picked off four passes last week. It could have more success generating turnovers if Nebraska is made one-dimensional. FYI: The Huskers' minus-five turnover margin is second worst in the Big Ten.
Key player: QB David Blough. Purdue needs to ride his hot arm until it cools off while Elijah Sindelar deals with an undisclosed injury that has muddled his availability. The savvy Blough will be making his 29th start this Saturday, so he won't be phased by the massive crowd or weight of the moment. Blough is playing the best ball of his career, hitting 71 percent of his passes for 990 yards with six touchdowns and just one interception. He also is nifty with his feet, allowing him to extend plays. Best of all: Blough has breathed life into the vertical passing game, as the Boilermakers rank No. 2 in the Big Ten in passing by averaging 318.3 yards per game.
Key position: Purdue receivers. This unit had some questions entering the year. But it is quickly blossoming. Of course, much credit goes to Rondale Moore, who leads the Big Ten in receptions (33) and receiving yards (372). And his four TDS are fourth. Moore also is No. 1 in the conference in all-purpose yards, averaging 183.0 yards. It's only a matter of time before he takes a kickoff or punt back for a TD. Moore's emergence has dovetailed with the development of seniors Terry Wright (9 catches for 152 yards with 2 TDs) and Isaac Zico (12-210). And don't forget about sophomore Jared Sparks (14-146). If foes concentrate too much on stopping those guys, Blough always can look to the tight end duo of Cole Herdman (7-93) and Brycen Hopkins (12-205-1). Bottom line: This offense has myriad weapons, led by the wideouts.