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Published Sep 5, 2019
Brohm wants to be more aggressive, play more players this Saturday
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Tom Dienhart  •  BoilerUpload
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MORE: Coordinator's Corner: Playing Vandy special for Hopkins | Weekly Word | Opponent View: Vanderbilt | Data Driven: Vanderbilt | Coordinator Corner: Anthony Poindexter

The message from Jeff Brohm in the wake of the stunning 34-31 defeat at Nevada has been the same: Be aggressive.

Brohm doesn’t think his team attacked enough on both sides of the ball, especially after the Boilermakers had built a 31-14 lead at the 6:19 mark of the third quarter.

“We have to be on the attack,” said Brohm after Thursday’s practice. “That means you have to be smart, too. You can’t be overly aggressive, but you have to err on being slightly aggressive. At the same time, we have to be efficient in what we are doing. We have to be able to be balanced on offense. It can’t be all pass, we can't rely on the pass the entire game.

“On defense, we have to be on the attack. Whether that’s playing zone, man or blitzing, we have to be able to affect the quarterback and make sure he understands we have to make him feel uncomfortable in the pocket.”

Despite the tough circumstances of the season opener, Brohm likes the mind-set of his team as the home opener vs. Vanderbilt looms this Saturday. Kickoff is noon ET.

“I think our guys have had a good week of practice,” said Brohm. “They've worked hard. We have a bitter taste in our mouths. Losses are gonna happen. You have to be able to regroup, and find ways to get better and come out the next week.

“As I told our team whether you start 5-0 or 0-5, you have to come out the next week and prove that you can play, prove that you can win, try to improve. That’s gonna be our goal this week, to come out and execute and try to play efficient football and hopefully compete, fly around and have some fun.”

And win.

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Be ready to play

Much was made of how Purdue looked to wear down in the fourth quarter in the loss at Nevada. Some of that could have been attributed to the altitude in Reno (4,500 feet). Still, Brohm thinks his team could have benefited from rotating players more liberally. Look for that to change this Saturday.

"That is always the goal, (to play more players)” said Brohm. “I think just like this past week, we kind of got off to a good start and you kind of don’t want to change what you were doing. And that’s what has been happening a little bit.

“But, yes, on the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line is gonna need to rotate a little more to keep fresh guys in there. Maybe even at linebacker a little bit, maybe even in the secondary.

“Offense, sometimes you can play five guys on the offensive line. We’d like to play more, but if five guys are playing well on that side of the ball, you are a little more conservative. And at receiver, we always rotate. Running back we always rotate and tight end, as well.”

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Team health

From an injury standpoint, Purdue looks to be in good shape as the Vanderbilt game approaches. Still, stay tuned to see who is on the field come noon on Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium. One thing is certain: DT Lorenzo Neal won’t suit up.

“No,” Brohm said emphatically.

Anyone else out?

“We have a few guys nicked up,” said Brohm. “Some have been able to practice. Some not as much. So, we will see how they come out Saturday morning. We are hopeful we can get as many back as we possibly can.”

Brohm provided an update on RB Tario Fuller, who broke a jaw in an August scrimmage:

“He is still recovering,” said Brohm. “That’s gonna be a process. We’ll just have to give it week to week. But it may take a little while.”

With Fuller still out, could true freshman King Doerue get more work? He carried just one time at Nevada for one yard.

“We’d like to get King more involved,” said Brohm. “While he’s gonna be a tremendous back for us, but he is spinning a little bit as far as the speed of the game and picking things up fully. But he works extremely hard and, yes, we’d like to utilize him a little more.”

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Why did Pittman leave?

The departure of TE Darius Pittman impacts the depth chart greatly. Now, true freshmen Garrett Miller and Kyle Bilodeau are thrust in potentially bigger roles behind fifth-year senior Brycen Hopkins and redshirt freshman Payne Durham.

"We have played a lot of young guys the first week and it’s gonna continue to happen,” said Brohm. “There will be more on the field this week. It’s just how it is. We have got to prepare them well, we have to practice well, they have to be able to take the field and play confident. While there’s gonna be a few mistakes, hopefully we don’t make enough that it hurts us. But I feel confident those two guys are getting better every week, have a bright future. It’s just a matter of getting out there on game day and competing.”

Why is Pittman leaving? Turns out he has NFL dreams and wants to pursue those elsewhere.

"Darius was a great young man,” said Brohm. “We always wish all of our guys the best of luck. Some guys want a bigger role. And some guys want an opportunity to play at a high level and play and play beyond (college). I think Darius is a guy who has a dream of playing in the NFL and he wants to be able to showcase what he's all about. He did a tremendous job for us. Like I said, he's worked extremely hard and given us everyting he has. I really love the young man and wish him nothing but the best.”

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Tyler Trent Gate dedication

Tyler Trent became part of the fabric of not just Purdue and its football team last season, but also of America. The Boilermaker super fan passed away last January. In his honor. Purdue will unveil a new Tyler Trent Gate at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday.

"I think we all know what he meant to this program and university," said Brohm. "We want to make sure his family realizes that they are still a part of us, that we want them to be a part of Purdue football as long as they want to. Dedicating the gate is gonna be something people can remember him for a long time and the inspiration he was for all of us."

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