Game Notes
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Much has been made about the youth of the 2019 Purdue football team, and with good reason.
The Boilermakers have played 30 true or redshirt freshmen this season. That total includes 13 first-year players who have started.
"Well, that's what we have on this team," Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm said. "There wasn't a big senior class coming in for this year, or even junior class, and that's shrunk drastically with some things that have happened injury-wise."
Freshmen or true freshmen top the Boilermakers or share the team lead in a bushel basket of statistical categories, including rushing yards (King Doerue), passing yards (Jack Plummer), receptions (David Bell), receiving yards (Bell), total offense (Plummer), all-purpose yards (Bell), tackles for loss (George Karlaftis), sacks (Karlaftis), interceptions (Cory Trice) and punting (Brooks Cormier).
Karlaftis leads all freshmen nationally with 12.5 tackles for loss, while his average of 1.56 per game ranks 12th among all players and third in the Big Ten. His team-leading 6.0 sacks are the most by a Boilermaker since Kawann Short had 7.0 in 2012.
Bell leads all freshmen nationally with 44 receptions and 653 receiving yards. His averages of 5.5 receptions and 81.6 receiving yards per game both rank third in the Big Ten.
"Yeah, it's a young team," Brohm said. "Our goal is always to win now,, but you also have to make sure that you're realistic with your players; and you understand that you've got to step on the field and compete and try to get better, and you've got to practice well and things don't go the way you want, can't hang your head too low, even though it's disappointing."
The youngsters' on-the-job training has included learning to become leaders.
"There's a lot of new faces," Brohm said. "When you're new and you're young, you don't want that talk too much or speak out of turn. I'm sure that's what's going on right now. I understand that.
"I think it's good to lead by example and showcase how hard you practice and play and how willing are you to stick to it when things aren't going perfect. I think that's what we have now. Leadership is an area we've got to just keep working at, but as they play more and gain experience, I think we'll get better at that."
The Boilermakers (2-6, 1-4 Big Ten) play host to Nebraska (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET, and the game will be televised by FOX.
Buy Tickets
Moon Walk Memorabilia Auction
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Much has been made about the youth of the 2019 Purdue football team, and with good reason.
The Boilermakers have played 30 true or redshirt freshmen this season. That total includes 13 first-year players who have started.
"Well, that's what we have on this team," Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm said. "There wasn't a big senior class coming in for this year, or even junior class, and that's shrunk drastically with some things that have happened injury-wise."
Freshmen or true freshmen top the Boilermakers or share the team lead in a bushel basket of statistical categories, including rushing yards (King Doerue), passing yards (Jack Plummer), receptions (David Bell), receiving yards (Bell), total offense (Plummer), all-purpose yards (Bell), tackles for loss (George Karlaftis), sacks (Karlaftis), interceptions (Cory Trice) and punting (Brooks Cormier).
Karlaftis leads all freshmen nationally with 12.5 tackles for loss, while his average of 1.56 per game ranks 12th among all players and third in the Big Ten. His team-leading 6.0 sacks are the most by a Boilermaker since Kawann Short had 7.0 in 2012.
Bell leads all freshmen nationally with 44 receptions and 653 receiving yards. His averages of 5.5 receptions and 81.6 receiving yards per game both rank third in the Big Ten.
"Yeah, it's a young team," Brohm said. "Our goal is always to win now,, but you also have to make sure that you're realistic with your players; and you understand that you've got to step on the field and compete and try to get better, and you've got to practice well and things don't go the way you want, can't hang your head too low, even though it's disappointing."
The youngsters' on-the-job training has included learning to become leaders.
"There's a lot of new faces," Brohm said. "When you're new and you're young, you don't want that talk too much or speak out of turn. I'm sure that's what's going on right now. I understand that.
"I think it's good to lead by example and showcase how hard you practice and play and how willing are you to stick to it when things aren't going perfect. I think that's what we have now. Leadership is an area we've got to just keep working at, but as they play more and gain experience, I think we'll get better at that."
The Boilermakers (2-6, 1-4 Big Ten) play host to Nebraska (4-4, 2-3) on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET, and the game will be televised by FOX.