Eight points. Eight lousy, stinking points is all that separates Purdue from being 3-0 this season. That's how thin the margin for error is for this still-developing program in Jeff Brohm's second season on campus.
A 31-27 loss to Northwestern, a 20-19 defeat to Eastern Michigan and a 40-37 setback to Missouri—all in Ross-Ade Stadium—have Purdue winless through three games for the first time since 1996. A Homecoming visit from Boston College looms this Saturday in a noon ET kickoff. It's the first time the schools will have met.
The challenges will be plenty vs. a 3-0 Eagles team that is ranked No. 23. It's BC's first ranking since 2008 and the first ranked non-conference foe to visit Ross-Ade Stadium since No. 21 Notre Dame in 2013 as the Boilers look to end a string of six Homecoming defeats.
In his sixth season on Chestnut Hill, Steve Addazio has done a good job making BC one of the better teams in the ACC in taking the program to four bowls in five seasons. A former assistant at Notre Dame (1999-2001) and Indiana (2002-04) who also coached for Urban Meyer at Florida (2005-2010), Addazio has built the program around defense. But the 2018 Eagles have a strong offense led by sophomore running back AJ Dillon, who has rushed for over 400 yards this season. And don't sleep on sophomore quarterback Anthony Brown, who is hitting 68 percent of his passes for 626 yards with nine TDs and no picks. He can chuck the ball down field and has a nice chemistry with senior wideout Jeff Smith. The last time out, Brown threw for 304 yards and five TDs vs. Wake Forest.
A loss would make the Boilers 0-4 for the first time since 1982, which was Leon Burtnett's first season. The only other times Purdue has started 0-4 since the end of World War II are 1975 and 1953. Yes, an 0-3 start isn't ideal, but the Boilermakers have bounced back from 0-3 starts to notch winning records two times in the last 70 years: 1972, when Purdue went 6-5 in what was Bob DeMoss' last season, and in 1957, when the program went 5-4 in Jack Mollenkopf's second season.
D.J. Knox was leaving a team meal last fall when he took the call. It knocked the wind out of him and changed his life.#BoilerUp
— #OnlyTheStrong (@PurdueSports) September 18, 2018
No doubt, Purdue could use a victory with a trip to Nebraska on tap next. There is a sense of urgency around Ross-Ade Stadium. If the Boilermakers want to go bowling for a second season in a row, they need to flip the script on September thus far.
Here is a look at the key matchup, key player and key position for Purdue in this Saturday's clash vs. BC.
Key matchup: Purdue linebackers vs. BC running back AJ Dillon. The sophomore is a legit Heisman Trophy contender. At 6-0, 245 pounds, Dillon is a load who also possesses underrated speed. The last time out, he ran 33 times for 185 times in a 41-34 win at Wake Forest. Dillon burst onto the scene last year, running 300 times for 1,589 yards and 14 TDs as a freshman. This season, Dillon has rushed 59 times for 432 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per rush with four TDs. Purdue has struggled to stop the run, allowing 156.0 rushing yards per game. Only two Big Ten teams are yielding more. The Boilers allowed Northwestern's Jeremy Larkin (143) and Missouri's Larry Rountree (168) to rush for over 100 yards this season.
Key player: WR Rondale Moore. With the Purdue defense (30.3 ppg allowed, 13th in the Big Ten) still springing too many leaks, the offense will need to soar like it did last week if the Boilers want a chance to pull the upset. And the only way the offense can take flight is if Moore gets the ball ... early and often. The freshman sensation strutted his stuff last week, making 11 catches for 137 yards and a TD. He also had 11 catches for 109 yards and a score in the opener vs. NU. On the year, Moore has a Big Ten-high 25 catches for 262 yards with two TDs. He also has four rushes for 128 yards and a score, while doubling as a deadly return man. Keep an eye on No. 4, who is No. 1 in the league in all-purpose yards (190.3 ypg).
Key position: Quarterback. David Blough assumed command after Elijah Sindelar suffered an undisclosed injury during practice last week. And Blough delivered a game for the ages, throwing for a Big Ten single-game record 572 yards after hitting 39-of-55 passes with three touchdowns and a pick in helping the Boilermakers notch 614 yards. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. You'd think the offense would ride Blough's hot right arm, regardless of Sindelar's status this week. Last Saturday, Blough showed an ability to deliver the ball down field, which is vital for any QB who wants to play for Jeff Brohm. Plus, the senior shows poise in the pocket, is tough and is nifty with his feet. For the year, Blough has made two starts and is hitting 70 percent of his passes for 694 yards with three touchdowns and a pick while running 14 times for 54 yards and a score. Blough needs to keep humming the ball down field for the Boilermakers to have a good chance to win.