Purdue football report card in Penn State loss: How bad are the grades?
· Yahoo Sports
STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania − Purdue football didn't dress up as something else for Halloween.
And that's unfortunate.
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The Boilermakers showed again who they are in a 31-17 loss to Penn State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The Nittany Lions, 0-4 in the Big Ten going in, found their get-right opponent in Purdue. Just as Washington did two weeks ago the last time we saw the Boilermakers.
Purdue (3-5, 2-3 Big Ten) managed to tie the game early in the second quarter, thanks to its special teams, then never threatened again. That's not good for the report card.
OFFENSE GRADE: F
Purdue had to be able to run the ball against a defense that ranked 17th in the Big Ten against the run coming in. Fame Ijeboi had two 8-yard runs on the opening drive, seemingly setting the stage for a big day on the ground. The defense did its part in the second half to give Purdue multiple chances to even the score, and with good field position to boot. The Boilermakers' only offensive touchdown was a scramble, heave and prayer that Xavier Townsend was able catch despite drawing pass interference. That was Purdue's second drive.
DEFENSE GRADE: D+
Penn State averaged 130 yards rushing per game before Saturday. By the end of the first quarter, the Nittany Lions had 124. Penn State had so little respect for Purdue's defense, it left the offense on the field at its own 28 yards line for a fourth-and-short while leading by a touchdown. Naturally, the Nittany Lions converted. Just like they did on two other fourth downs in the first half. To make matters worse, Penn State played without its two leading receivers. As bad as the defense was in the first half, it did its job in the second.
SPECIAL TEAMS GRADE: B+
Feels like this is a copy and paste job. Coordinator James Shibest's special teams is Purdue's most consistent facet. It's become the one thing Boilermakers fans can count on. Bisi Owens' second punt block of the season was scooped and returned 31 yards for a touchdown by Jalil Hall, a Pennsylvania native who missed the final 11 games last season after getting injured. Long snapper Luke Raab, punter/holder Dylan Drennan, placekicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano and kickoff specialist Seth Turner might comprise the Big Ten's best specialists unit. Drennan did have a rare shank, docking the special teams a letter grade.
COACHING GRADE: D
The Boilermakers had two weeks to iron out wrinkles. And that's what we get? Complementary football is a foreign concept. The offense seems to be regressing. The defense started the season poorly and hasn't improved enough outside of a mini two-game breakout. Four games are left. Is that enough time to salvage what we've seen through the first two-thirds of the regular season?
GAME MVP
Cam Wallace had 125 yards rushing this season. The Penn State running back had 131 against Purdue.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football report card in Penn State loss: How bad are the grades?