With one game left this season, Purdue's defense has enjoyed quite the turnaround, averaging 18.9 points per game less than it did a year ago, an improvement that's best in the country by 2.6.

As Purdue prepares for Indiana on Saturday, with a chance to extend its season, we asked co-coordinator and play caller Nick Holt about the Boilermakers' resurgence.

GoldandBlack.com: What did you think of the defensive performance last Saturday?

Holt: "It was really a good solid effort, had some tackles for loss, had some sacks, and had a big key turnover. I just thought we played really solid and the kids had fun. It was a great experience and that's what we expect from our guys."

GoldandBlack.com: As you look back on this season, at what point during the season did you think it could take a major step forward from what it had done last year?

Holt: "Oh, quite honestly right from the start. In fall camp and after spring ball, we had to. That's why we're here, to do great things. I thought we could be pretty good. We have a good system. The kids understand how to play hard. We just had to keep on them and coach them and make sure we're consistent. They learned and got better and tasted some success early and it builds from there.

"We expected this."

GoldandBlack.com: Did they buy in pretty early?

Holt: "Yeah, I think they did. They're good kids and they trust the system, trust the process, trust their coaches and that's the first thing that we established and we carried on through there. We have high expectations and have a good system, good coaches, from the top down, and that's what happens."

Q: Why does your defense get stronger in the second half?

Holt: "I think they understand the offense. After the first half, after 30-35 plays, they go, 'OK, I know what I'm getting.' I think they get comfortable and they know what's going to happen on first down and third down, so they get to know the offense a little bit more. Maybe that's it. But I think it comes back with conditioning, it comes back with our strength coaches, all that kind of stuff. There's a lot to go into that.

"But I think the defensive kids, they know the offensive that much more in the second half, quite honestly."

GoldandBlack.com: What would you relate this turnaround to in your previous experience?

Holt: "I've done it my whole life. We went to the University of Washington, they were 0-12, the worst program in the country and went to a bowl game within two years and won the bowl game against Nebraska. We played good defense. We played good defense our first year there. It's nothing new. This is what we do. It's kind of our expectation.

"If you've been doing this for 32 years, you get experience at it. It comes back to being a good leader, having principles and a good staff, and we have good kids. They want to do good. We just had to get at them and teach them our system."

GoldandBlack.com: Is there something enjoyable about fixing?

Holt: "That's really a great point you make, that's really enjoyable, the process, the fixing and the day-to-day grind and being around the kids and seeing them the first day, back when we got here in January to now. To see the progress they've made and the light in their eyes. Their self image is so much better. They've tasted success and they're good kids and good players.

GoldandBlack.com: When you took the job, did you look at the stat sheet and say, "All right. This is ... "

Holt: "No, I just heard. I didn't. I didn't want to look at it. I heard about the stats, but I didn't really pay attention. I knew what we were getting in to and we've done it before. You just go to work.

"I met with the defense, the linebackers, and we went to work. The rest is what you're seeing."

Q: What have you learned about the Purdue-Indiana rivalry this week?

Holt: "I've kind of always known that's it's a big rivalry, because I've had friends who have coaches here before. A lot of friends who have come through Purdue and loved it, so I kind of knew. But you don't understand the rivalry until you've gone through it, on game day and right before, so I'm looking forward to it. It's what college football is all about, that's why I love college football, games like this."

Q: You've been involved ...

Holt: "... in a lot of big ones. The biggest. And these are just like it. And they're all big, whether it's way back in the late 80s and 90s, Boise State-Idaho, whether it's UCLA-USC, Washington-Washington State, Louisville-Kentucky, it's what makes college football and it's great to be a part of."

GoldandBlack.com: What's concerning about IU's offense?

Holt: "They've got good skill. I think the quarterbacks are good. They've got a good system. They go fast. I like their receivers and their tempo. Some of their schemes are really good. They've got a good club. They're solid and their O-line is good, protects the quarterback. We've got our work cut out for us."

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