GoldandBlack.com - Matchup Preview: Purdue-EKU

August 30, 2012

Brian Neubert

GoldandBlack.com breaks down how Purdue and Eastern Kentucky might match up Saturday in West Lafayette, when the FCS 21st-ranked Colonels visit Ross-Ade Stadium for both teams' season openers.

When Purdue's running ...

It's our contention that this season must mark a transition in Purdue's identity offensively more toward the passing game due to its experience at quarterback and speed at receiver - and the loss of two NFL draft picks from the offensive line - but the Boilermakers must be able to run it well enough to achieve balance.

Saturday's game is one Purdue may be able to win with the running game. Its offensive line is an unknown to this point, but should have physical advantages against the EKU defensive front.

Akeem Shavers is trending well as he's poised to be the leading man in the Boilermaker backfield, coming off an MVP performance in the Little Caesars Bowl.

In a perfect world, Purdue won't have to pull out its full bag of tricks Saturday, but its speed at receiver will be a component in its perimeter running game all season.

Advantage: Purdue (decided)

When Purdue's passing ...

No matter who is playing quarterback vs. the Colonels, Purdue should be able to do some damage in the passing game, provided it can protect the passer, which it had better be.

The Boilermaker coaches have talked up their speed at receiver all season and mentioned tight end Gabe Holmes as a potentially great one.

Against Eastern, that speed should show up. And Holmes should be able to find mismatches over the middle. Purdue will presumably want to get him involved.

A priority this offseason has been improving throwing the ball up the field. Purdue will have its chances Saturday.

The Colonels are down a starting corner and about to replace a senior with a freshman.

Advantage: Purdue (decided)

When Eastern Kentucky is running ...

OK, maybe we're over-reacting here after the loss of Dwayne Beckford, because the last time EKU played a major conference opponent it ran for all of 10 yards on 27 tries at Kansas State last year.

But still, Eastern Kentucky's running game will be a test for Purdue as it not only transitions to a new defense but also to the loss of Beckford, a key figure in its run D.

Good thing they played all spring without him.

Matt Denham is a near-1,600-yard rusher from last season and though EKU is down its starting center, it has two quality tackles back.

Purdue should be able to disrupt the front with Kawann Short, but its tackling in the second and third levels of the defense will be put to the test.

The Boilermakers will obviously want to be a mistake-free as can be in Game 1.

Advantage: Eastern Kentucky (slight)

When EKU is passing ...

Eastern is not a great passing team anyway and will likely be playing its backup quarterback.

It has some weapons in the passing game - receiver Tyrone Goard, 6-4, is supposed to be a player - but the Boilermakers have a fine set of corners who should be up to the task.

A key for Purdue defensively this season is its pass rush. But against Eastern Kentucky, it should be able to disrupt things just by being more physical, particularly up the middle.

Have to admit: It will be more interesting to see how much Purdue's inexperience at linebacker and safety shows up against the pass than against the run.

Advantage: Purdue (decided)

Special teams
Look: We have no idea. We don't even know who's kicking for Purdue.

But Raheem Mostert alone gives the nod to the Boilermakers here. It will be interesting to see - not just Saturday, but throughout the season - if the nation's top kickoff-return man from a year ago is impacted at all by kickoffs being moved up five yards.

Advantage: Purdue (decided)

Intangibles
Big Ten schools are always going to be heavy favorites over FCS squads. They just are. Whether this game can play out differently, we'll see. It does seem as if a Colonel running game capable of competing could be catching Purdue at the right time, before it's built up experience in its new defense and right after it's lost a key player just days before the first game.

That said, Purdue can't afford to lose games like this and should enjoy marked advantages in physicality, speed and ability. It's probably a long shot that this game is even close. If it is for a while, that won't be a bad thing for a Boilermaker team that might benefit more from getting tested than from rolling in a blowout.

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