WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue begins its 138th season of football, including the 102nd at Ross-Ade Stadium, by hosting Ball State. Kickoff for the in-state matchup is set for noon on BTN.
QUICK HITS
- The 2025 season opener kicks off the Barry Odom era at Purdue. Odom was named as the 38th head coach of the Boilermakers on December 8, 2024.
- The Boilermakers and Cardinals are meeting for the first time since the 2010 season, a 24-13 Purdue victory. Purdue leads the all-time series 8-0 with all eight matchups occurring in West Lafayette.
- Leading the Boilermakers throughout the season on the field are eight captains selected by the team: QB Ryan Browne, DB An'Darius Coffey, DB Tony Grimes, WR Michael Jackson III, RB Devin Mockobee, LB Mani Powell, DE CJ Madden and OL Jalen St. John.
- Purdue begins the season with a three-game homestand, the longest stretch at home to start a season since 2018. That 2018 homestand ended with Barry Odom leading the Missouri Tigers to a 40-37 victory over the Boilermakers.
- Odom has coached three All-Americans and 36 all-conference selections in six seasons as a head coach.
- Last year, Purdue became the first team in history to face five College Football Playoff teams in a single season.
- Linebacker Mani Powell, who played under Odom at UNLV, was named to the Butkus Award Watch List heading into this season.
- The veteran on a roster consisting of 82 new Boilermakers, Devin Mockobee enters his fifth season at Purdue. Starting his career as a walk-on, he has gone from not playing a single snap in 2021 to leading Purdue in rushing in each of the past three seasons.
- Mockobee enters his senior season ranked in the program Top 10 in several career categories: 100-yard rushing games (6th), rushing yards (9th), rushing touchdown (10th).
- Mockobee made four watch lists heading into the 2025 season: Doak Walker, Wuerffel, AFCA Good Works Team, Senior Bowl Top 30.
- Odom named Ryan Browne as Purdue's starting quarterback heading into the season. Browne played in eight games for the Boilermakers a season ago, including one start. After spending the spring with North Carolina, Browne returned home to West Lafayette and won the starting job.
- Purdue is known for the Cradle of Quarterbacks. Entering the 2025 NFL season, Purdue quarterbacks have thrown for 1,401 touchdowns in the Super Bowl era, more passing TDs than any other college. Cal (1,165) is second with 236 fewer touchdowns.
- Offensive lineman Ethan Trent, brother of the late Purdue superfan Tyler Trent, earned a scholarship in the spring. After spending his first two seasons as a walk-on with limited action, he has worked his way into the offensive line rotation heading into the 2025 campaign.
ANOTHER SEASON OF PURDUE FOOTBALL
- The Boilermakers kick off their 138th season of football in 2025.
- Purdue holds a 79-52-6 mark in season openers, while going 93-39-4 in home openers. The Boilermakers have won 23 of their last 27 home openers.
- Ross-Ade Stadium has been Purdue’s home for 101 seasons, marking the 2025 campaign as the 102nd full season.
- Purdue closed out the 1924 season with its first game at Ross-Ade, a 26-7 Homecoming win over Indiana (Nov. 22, 1924).
THE ODOM ERA BEGINS
- Guiding one of the greatest resurgences in college football over the past two seasons, Barry Odom was named the new head football coach of the Purdue Boilermakers on December 8, 2024.
- Odom, 48, became the 38th head coach in the history of Purdue Football, coming to West Lafayette following what could be considered the most impressive gridiron campaign in UNLV’s school history. The Rebels reached double-digit wins for only the third time in program history (1974, 1984), with both previous seasons predating the program’s move up to Division I competition and the Mountain West Conference, respectively.
- For his head coaching career, Odom possesses a 44-33 overall record over six seasons, four at Missouri (2016-19) and two at UNLV (2023-24). His 19-8 mark with the Rebels bears significance in that the five seasons prior to his arrival (2017-22), UNLV won just 20 games.
- Odom has a defensive background. A linebacker during his playing days at Missouri (1996-99), he has racked up seven seasons as a defensive coordinator over three stops: Memphis (2012-14), Missouri (2015) and Arkansas (2020-22).
HARD, SMART, TOUGH
- The three core principles of a Barry Odom-coached program are: hard, smart and tough. Playing football that way helped Odom’s UNLV teams succeed in all three phases of the game each of the past two seasons.
- Odom’s defenses have made 17 interceptions in both the 2023 season and the 2024 campaign. The 34 INTs were the second most recorded by a team over the past two years. The defenses also forced 49 turnovers during the two-year span, ranking fifth nationally.
- Odom’s teams have put up points over the past two seasons, averaging 34.4 points per game in 2023 (22nd nationally) and 36.2 ppg in 2024 (14th nationally). The 953 total points throughout both 2023 and 2024 ranked sixth in the country.
- Odom emphasizes special teams, realizing it brings a winning edge to a program. In 2023, Odom’s Rebels made 26-of-29 field goals for an 89.7 percent clip. Last season, his special teams unit blocked five punts to lead the nation.
ADDING THROUGH THE PORTAL
- It’s a brand-new era under head coach Barry Odom. With a coaching change, there always comes roster turnover. Odom welcomed at least 50 transfers in each of his two seasons at UNLV, attacking the portal to produce two of the best seasons in UNLV history.
- Heading into the 2025 campaign, Purdue has welcomed 54 transfers, which leads the nation. Add in high school signees and walk-ons, 82 Boilermakers are new to the program.
- Forty-six players practiced for the first day on the opening day of fall camp as post-spring practice additions.
HERE COMES THE MOCKTRAIN
- From walk-on to phenom, Devin Mockobee will finish his career as one of the best running backs in Purdue history.
- Mockobee has led the rushing attack for the Boilermakers in each of the last three seasons, amassing 2,466 yards on 505 carries with 19 touchdowns.
- The Boonville, Ind., native is the most experienced returner with 37 appearances and 23 starts at Purdue.
- The senior was named to the Doak Walker Award, Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team Watch Lists, as well as the Senior Bowl Top 300 list.
- Mockobee did not entertain entering the transfer portal after last season, instead focusing on completing his mechanical engineering technology degree. His close connection to running backs coach Lamar Conard (2000 Purdue graduate), who was retained by Barry Odom, also was a major factor in staying at Purdue.
- Mockobee has already climbed into the top 10 at Purdue in several career categories: 10th in career rushing attempts (505), ninth in career yards (2,466), 10th in rushing touchdowns (19) and sixth in 100-yard rushing games (8).
- The junior is 44 yards away from becoming just the eighth Boilermaker in history to rack up 2,500 career rushing yards.
- The MockTrain is the ninth running back to lead Purdue in rushing for three straight seasons since 1946.
- He started his career by setting a new Purdue freshman record with 968 rushing yards while also adding nine touchdowns in 2022. After being put on scholarship, he led the team in rushing once again with 807 yards and six touchdowns in 2023. He posted 687 yards and four scores in 2024.
- He is one of 13 Big Ten running backs to rush for 650 yards in the last 10 years, a list that includes Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor and Nicholas Singleton.
- Mockobee’s impact can be felt beyond the field after donating $10,000 to youth football in his hometown during the offseason.
WHAT CAN BROWNE DO FOR YOU
- Ryan Browne was named the starting quarterback by head coach Barry Odom in the last week of fall camp after a competition with Malachi Singleton, Bennett Meredith and Evans Chuba and Garyt Odom.
- Browne served as a backup for the Boilermakers last year, making one start, before spending the spring semester under Bill Belichick at North Carolina. He transferred back to Purdue during the spring portal window.
- Browne appeared in eight games last season, throwing for 532 yards and four touchdowns with a QB efficiency of 127.5. He rushed for 241 yards on 50 carries.
- Making his first career start in place of an injured Hudson Card, Browne rose to the occasion and nearly led Purdue to the biggest comeback in program history at No. 23 Illinois (Oct. 12, 2024).
- The Clarkston, Michigan, native became just the sixth Boilermaker quarterback to eclipse 100 yards rushing in a game, joining Phipps, Bob Bobrowski, Gary Danielson, Rob Henry and Kirsch. His 118 rushing yards were the most by a Purdue quarterback since Henry at 132 at Northwestern on Oct. 9, 2010.
- Browne’s day on the ground eclipsed his 85-yard day he had in relief against Northwestern a season ago, but he joined Drew Brees as the only Purdue quarterbacks (since 1996) to produce a pair of 80-yard rushing games.
- For his performance against the Illini, Browne earned a 90.9 grade from PFF, the best by a Purdue QB on the road since at least 2008.
A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
- A season ago, Purdue faced the toughest schedule in college football history. Five Boilermaker opponents ended up making the College Football Playoff in 2024. No other team had as many playoff opponents on its schedule, and due to the CFP expanding to 12 teams last year, Purdue became the first team in history to face five playoff teams in one season.
- This season, the Boilermakers have another tough schedule that includes three CFP teams from 2024 (Notre Dame, Ohio State, Indiana) and five opponents ranked in the Preseason Top 25: No. 6 Notre Dame (Sept. 20), No. 12 Illinois (Oct. 4), No. 14 Michigan (Nov. 1), No. 3 Ohio State (Nov. 8), and No. 20 Indiana (Nov. 28).
- Purdue faces the past two national champions, Michigan and Ohio State, in back-to-back weeks to kick off the month of November.
- The 2025 slate was tabbed the 18th hardest in the nation by ESPN Football Power Index and 13th in Phil Steele's preseason guide.
- Purdue's trip to Washington for Game 11 will tie for the eighth-longest road trip in program history at 2,187 miles.
IN-STATE OPPOSITION
- A schedule rarity, Purdue will play three opponents from the state of Indiana this season.
- After beginning the season against Ball State, the Boilermakers will square off with Notre Dame for the Shillelagh Trophy on Sept 20.
- Purdue will close the regular season with the 100th Old Oaken Bucket Game against Indiana on Black Friday (Nov. 28)
- It marks the second straight season the Boilermakers will face three in-state foes and just the fifth time in the last 25 years.
EXPERIENCE WELCOMED
- Purdue’s coaching staff was deliberate in finding players who could make an instant impact when signing players out of the transfer portal with 41 of the 54 additions bringing at least one game of experience in their career.
- Of the 41 players with collegiate experience, the group combined to average 23.9 games of experience throughout their career.
- Six new Boilermakers arrived in West Lafayette with 40 or more games played in their careers (Tony Grimes - 50, Christian Moore - 46, An’Darius Coffey - 45, Chauncey Magwood - 41, Jack McCallister - 41, Tahj Ra-El - 40), while nine other have 30 games of experience.
- Fifteen of Purdue’s transfers started the final seven games at their previous stop.
THE CAPTAINS
- At the end of fall camp, head coach Barry Odom announced the eight Boilermakers named captain for the 2025 campaign.
- Quarterback Ryan Browne, defensive backs An’Darius Coffey and Tony Grimes, wide receiver Michael Jackson III, running back Devin Mockobee, linebacker Mani Powell, defensive end CJ Madden and offensive lineman Jalen St. John were elected after a vote by the team.
- Six of the selections are seniors in their final season, while Browne and Madden represent a young leadership group that bought into the new culture under Odom.
- Jackson III and Coffey made a quick impact in the locker room to earn their selection after joining Purdue following the conclusion of spring ball.
TRENT EARNS A SCHOLARSHIP
- Offensive lineman Ethan Trent came to West Lafayette with a family legacy already deeply entrenched in Purdue history. His older brother Tyler became a cult-hero for the Boilermaker faithful during the 2018 season. The Purdue superfan continued passionately cheering on his favorite team despite his battle with a rare form of bone cancer.
- Tyler’s story was shared on ESPN College Gameday ahead of the Boilers’ matchup against No. 3 Ohio State. In what became known as “The Tyler Trent Game,” Purdue dominated the Buckeyes in a 49-20 upset rout in Ross-Ade. Ethan, who appeared multiple times in the Gameday piece, was the one pushing Tyler’s wheelchair as the pair stormed the field along with thousands of other fans.
- Entering his freshman year of college in 2023, Ethan joined the football team as a preferred walk-on. Last season, he made his Boilermaker debut and appeared in three games.
- Impressing head coach Barry Odom with his hard work and quickly becoming a major piece to the Purdue offensive line, Ethan earned a scholarship during the spring.
WATCH LIST SEASON
- A pair of Boilermakers were recognized during watch list season this summer.
- Transfer linebacker Mani Powell was named to the Butkus Award Watch List, as one of the 51 best linebackers in the nation and one of 12 from the Big Ten.
- Running back Devin Mockobee was honored for his play on the field on the Senior Bowl Top 300 List and the Doak Walker Award Watch List.
- Mockobee was also recognized for the AFCA Good Works Team and Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, following a $10,000 contribution to youth football in his hometown.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
- As head coach Barry Odom and his staff flipped the roster, a committed group of returners bought into the system looking to guide Purdue's reemergence back on the national stage.
- Twenty-eight returners on the roster have appeared in at least one game for Purdue, while only five have played 12 games or more.
- Just six players have started for Purdue, led by Devin Mockobee’s 23 starts. Smiley Bradford (4) is the lone defensive returner to start at Purdue (De’Nylon Morrissette - 4, Ryan Browne - 2, George Burhenn - 1, Bennett Meredith - 1).
COACHING CONNECTIONS
- After an incredible two-year run at UNLV, head coach Barry Odom brought eight players and three coaches, two analysts and four additional staff members with him when he arrived in West Lafayette.
- Odom has a solid contingent of former players from his time at Missouri on his staff, including defensive coordinator Mike Scherer, defensive ends coach Jake Trump, general manager Brandon Lee, senior defensive analyst Ronnell Perkins, defensive analyst
- Odom is the definition of a players’ coach, as seven of his former players are on his 2025 staff: DeMarkus Acy (defensive analyst), Brandon Lee (general manager), Jack Lowary (defensive analyst), Ronnell Perkins (senior defensive analyst), Mike Scherer (defensive coordinator/linebackers coach), Tre’vour Simms (offensive analyst), Jake Trump (defensive ends coach).
- Trump and defensive line coach Kelvin Green worked under Odom while he was the defensive coordinator at Arkansas. Trump was with Odom for all three seasons in Fayetteville (2020-22), while Green joined Odom’s defensive staff for the 2022 campaign.
- Offensive coordinator Josh Henson worked alongside Odom at Missouri for three seasons when both were assistants for Gary Pinkel.