Brohm: 'We have to go out and find a way to get it done on Saturday'

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Jeff Brohm knows what his team is up against.

He knows his squad has lost three in a row. He knows Purdue sits with a 1-4 overall record and 0-2 Big Ten mark with the season’s halfway point right around the bend. If the Boilermakers want to reach six victories and bowl eligibility, they need to start winning—now. And it must begin with Saturday’s homecoming visit from Maryland (3-2 overall; 1-1 Big Ten).

“I think we’ve had a good week of practice and our guys are working,” said Brohm after practice on Thursday. “That’s all you can do. You have to be able to work your way through the struggles and adversity when it hits. You need to push forward and I think our guys have done a good job.

"They’ve done everything we've asked. They just have to continue to work hard on improving. And really carry it over to game day, to test day. And that’s what we have to do. That's what we haven’t seen. Sometimes, the inexperience is showing. So, we have to go out and find a way to get it done on Saturday.”

Purdue has dealt with myriad injuries and will play Saturday without the likes of quarterback Elijah Sindelar, wideout Rondale Moore, defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal and linebacker Markus Bailey. Sindelar, Neal and Bailey all are captains. The defense also will be without starting tackle Anthony Watts, who got hurt last week in the loss at Penn State. And the offense is limping along with a depleted receiving unit that won’t have Jared Sparks and TJ Sheffield along with Moore. Mershawn Rice is doubtful as he deals with a hamstring issue. And Milton Wright also may be out.

“Milton has had a red jersey on (this week),” said Brohm, who also said running back Zander Horvath will be out Saturday. “We will see how he continues to stay in the protocol all the way up until game time.

"(Center) Viktor Beach is a no go.”

But Brohm’s squad could get a lift from the return of fifth-year senior running backs Tario Fuller (jaw) and Richie Worship (knee). Neither has played in 2019.

“I think both of those players will be dressed,” said Brohm. “Hopefully be ready to go. We will see how they responded today and how they feel on Friday and Saturday. But I am hopeful both will dress. I’d like to get them both in the game if we can. Bu we will still give it all they way up until game time.”

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An added layer of intrigue this week was the fact Jeff Brohm put an “or” between quarterbacks Jack Plummer—who started last week—and Aidan O’Connell. Brohm says it’s because he wants players to know there will be competition at every position. So, who will get the start?

“Jack will start on Saturday,” said Brohm.

But if O’Connell has to play for some reason, Brohm is confident in the sophomore.

“I think both Jack and Aidan had good weeks of practice,” said Brohm. “Anytime with a quarterback when you aren't winning, you’re gonna get most of the blame. When you are winning, you’re gonna get way too much credit.

“Right now, last week was tough in protection and some things like that. We want production. And I think Jack understands that we want him to go out there, play well and produce, get better. We think Aidan is a capable backup that if he needs to go in he should be ready to play. “

Purdue fans held their breath when sophomore Rondale Moore looked to hyperextend his left knee vs. Minnesota two weeks ago on the same play quarterback Elijah Sindelar hurt his left clavicle.

Many feared the worst for Moore--a season-ending injury. But, Jeff Brohm says Moore is coming along well in his recovery. But, it's still not known when he will return.

"I wish I knew the timetable," said Brohm. "Do not know. I know he’s progressing. It was a good tear or whatever of the hamstring or something like that that he had. Whenever he can get back fully, we’d love to have him, of course. I don’t know exactly when and I couldn’t give you a timetable.

"It was a good tear or strain or whatever you want to call it of the hamstring all the way from the upper part down to the bottom, which is a little more unusual than just a normal one, I believe. He’s feeling better, he’s working hard, he can recover from it. We want to make sure he feels good when he steps on the field again."

So, will the All-American receiver be back sometime in 2019?

"I think so," said Brohm. "I just don’t know when."

Fifth-year senior linebacker Markus Bailey sent out a tweet today saying season-ending surgery on a knee he hurt in practice was a success and that he was “Excited to continue pushing forward with my recovery as I prepare for the #2020nfldraft."

What did Jeff Brohm think of that?

"We discussed a lot of options way back,” said Brohm. “I want to leave it up to him. I knew which way he’s leaning. I haven’t spoken to him in the last little bit. We wanted to let him do what he needed to do. And see whatever doctor he wanted to go to, make sure him and his family felt comfortable. I think the assumption is probably on (that he won't petition for another year of eligibility).

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Purdue will wear moon-inspired helmets and an astronaut-themed patch on their uniform on Saturday for homecoming as the school celebrates its connection to space exploration. The all-white togs have created a bit of a national buzz.

"I think they are pretty sharp-looking. I give them credit,” said Jeff Brohm. “I thought they did a good job with it. I know our players are excited to put it on and I think some of the fans were excited to see it.

"I think it represents the history of the university. Everything that has been put into it, it resembles a lot of great things, a lot of achievements that have happened from people that graduated from here. I know our players are excited to wear it.”

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