The Purdue Boilermakers have won their opening game of the 2024 season after defeating Indiana State 49-0 in a defensive masterclass.
The Boilermakers went 4-8 a season ago and dropped the season opener against Fresno State, 39-35, despite being four-point favorites. The Purdue staff is eager to display a more competitive team this season and added a tough contest against #7 Notre Dame scheduled for week two. If the Boilermakers want to have a more competitive team this season, they will need to have a good showing against a great team in the Fighting Irish.
Purdue Boilermakers Defeat Indiana State Sycamores 49-0 Behind Excellent Defense
The Purdue football team went 4-8 a season ago and scored 20 or more points in just two of those losses last season. The Boilermakers averaged 38 points per game in their four wins last season and proved they have potential on offense. Transfer quarterback Hudson Card threw for 2,387 yards and added 15 touchdowns in his first season with the team.
Card struggled at times last season, recording eight interceptions and a 51.5 quarterback rating which ranked 86th in college football. During the first game of the season against the Sycamores, however, Card looked extremely accurate and went 24-of-25 passing. Card recorded 273 yards and four touchdowns with an average of 10.9 yards per completion.
Max Klare led the team in receiving with five receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Sycamores defense. Klare had a long of 43 yards and sliced through the Indiana State defense with ease for the Boilermakers. The Purdue football team gave the keys of the offense to Card, and it seems Card has already found a receiver he likes.
On the ground, running back Devin Mockobee opened plenty of lanes for the Boilermakers and carried the ball 11 times. Mockobee finished the game with 89 yards on the ground which included a big 36-yard rush he broke off. The Purdue football staff loved feeding Mockobee the ball, as the running back carried the rock 172 times last season for 807 yards and six touchdowns.
Purdue Football Must Hold Onto the Football Against #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
While the Purdue football team may have made it through the Indiana State Sycamores without a problem, their next opponent is quite the jump in skill. The #7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will travel across the state as the Boilermakers will play hosts next week. The Fighting Irish will warm up against #20 Texas A&M before traveling to take on the Boilermakers.
The Fighting Irish are defined by their stifling defense that can stop both the run game and the passing game when on their mark. Notre Dame forced 17 fumbles last season and picked off the opposing quarterback 16 times to solidify a turnover ratio of seven. The Fighting Irish also recorded 31 sack last season as their defense terrified opposing offenses.
On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Riley Leonard is going to be the facilitator of the offense for the Fighting Irish. Star running back Audric Estime was the heart of the offense last season along with quarterback Sam Hartman. The Notre Dame offense has struggled to find their identity it the first game of the season without another player alongside Leonard.
If the Purdue football team can stop the passing game of Leonard, then the offense of Notre Dame will truly struggle. The Boilermakers certainly have the talent and the tools to defeat the Fighting Irish, but it will come down to how they can stop the offense.
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