12/2/2020 football Edit

Purdue finding out hard way that special teams matter

Tom Dienhart • BoilerUpload

GoldandBlack.com, Associate Editor

It was the play that broke Purdue’s back last week: The 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

The Boilermakers had just scored a touchdown, with David Bell making a nice 18-yard scoring grab to push Purdue’s lead to 30-20 with 9:22 to go in the third quarter. The Boilermakers were looking good vs. their one-win opponent.

Then, it happened: Rutgers Aron Cruickshank fielded the subsequent kickoff and raced from goal line to goal line for a touchdown. It didn’t look like one Purdue player got a hand on Cruickshank as he zipped through and around Boilermakers to paydirt. Maybe—maybe—Boilermaker kicker J.D. Dellinger grazed Cruickshank with a hand as he zoomed by. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown allowed by Purdue since Northern Illinois turned the trick in 2013.

Just like that, Purdue’s lead was cut to 30-27. And momentum took a monstrous swing.

“We had two starters on (kickoff team) that had to come out because of injury and we had a couple backups come in and didn't do exactly what they were supposed to do, and when that happened, it was able to allow the ball to bounce and once it bounced to the outside, you know, we were stuck,” said Jeff Brohm earlier this week.

For a team that plays so many close games—Purdue’s five contests have been decided by a total of 28 points—it’s important to be buttoned-up and effective on special teams. Purdue (2-3) will get another chance on Saturday when Nebraska (1-4) invades Ross-Ade Stadium for a noon ET kickoff on BTN.

There are few things more deflating to a team than yielding a big play for a touchdown—especially on special teams. To let an opponent score with ease is dispiriting. And that Rutgers kickoff return for a TD sure seemed to knock the wind out of the sails of the Boilermakers in this oh-so-critical stretch run as Purdue chases a winning record.

Purdue didn’t tally another point after Rutgers scored on special teams, while the Scarlet Knights added 10 more to claim a 37-30 victory.

After allowing that kickoff return for a touchdown, Purdue had three drives for a total of 14 plays for 50 yards. One resulted in an interception. The other two ended with punts. The Boilermakers’ long possession was 1:55.

“And so we've got to do a better job of making sure everyone understands their role, everyone understands that special teams is the most important part of our team,” said Brohm. “And if you can't play on special teams, you can't play on offense and defense. Every play is vital and we have to have our best foot forward every time.”

While it was a kickoff return that did in Purdue last week, it was field-goal kicking the week before at Minnesota, where the Boilermakers had one blocked from 27 yards and missed another from 33 yards in a 34-31 defeat.

And then there’s the punting: It has been inconsistent all season with Brooks Cormier and Zac Collins each getting turns in various scenarios. A punt was shanked vs. Rutgers. The Boilermakers are No. 13 in the Big Ten in punting, averaging 39.5 yards on 21 punts.

The return game? It has been largely punchless … again. Purdue is No. 13 in the Big Ten in punt returns with one for four yards. The kickoff return game is No. 9, averaging 17.8 yards on 16 returns.

Brohm is on his fourth special teams coach in four years at Purdue. The first two special teams coaches left on their own volition: Tony Levine (left coaching) and Mark Tommerdahl (left for Texas Tech). Kevin Wolthausen “parted ways” with Purdue after last season. That brings us to Marty Biagi, who was hired in the offseason from North Texas.

“I think really we had a decent day on special teams other than the one return for a touchdown,” said Brohm of the Rutgers game. “When we had some backups in and we all didn't do our job and when that happens, we're going to get a big play. That was disappointing and that can't happen. We have to make sure that doesn't happen.

“And our punting game, you know, it didn't hurt us, but we have to get better at punting the football and that's been a little bit of an issue. But we just got to continue to work through it.”

Biagi brought a glossy resume from his previous stop at North Texas, where he had success scheming up the return game the last three seasons. He’s a bright, young coach who has a chance to figure things out for a program that traditionally has struggled on special teams.

In 2019, the Boilermakers finished 11th out of 14 Big Team teams in punt returns (5.6 ypc) and last in kickoff returns (15.8 ypc). When did Purdue last run back a punt for a TD? You have to go back to 2009 (Aaron Valentin). The last kickoff return for a touchdown? That was in 2013 (Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert). Brohm remains hopeful to capture some of that past special teams success and to finish the season strong.

"This year, we've got our work cut out for us, without question," said Brohm. "We've lost three in a row. We have a tough opponent coming in that's going to be very hungry and they have been in a lot of close games, as well, and we have a lot of tough football yet to be played."

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