Purdue looks to get running game running again; more notes

Purdue’s running game is stuck in neutral.

Since the win over Illinois three weeks ago, when the Boilermakers had 231 yards on the effort of a couple backup running backs, Purdue has totaled next to nothing of significance. In losses to Iowa and Nebraska, the Boilermakers have only 71 yards on 43 carries, an average of 1.7 yards per attempt.

And in that time, Purdue’s not had a run go for double-digit yardage, the longest by any player being a nine-yarder by quarterback David Blough at Nebraska and by a running back being Markell Jones’ eight-yard carry vs. the Cornhuskers.

“We're struggling to get big runs,” interim coach Gerad Parker said at his Tuesday teleconference. “And any time you don't pop some big runs, it makes it tough.

“I thought the first half (at Nebraska), we did a really good job of managing and staying close enough to balance as you could, but still, at the end of the day, we didn't have any big ones. We had two big plays in the passing game (to Bilal Marshall and DeAngelo Yancey) that resulted in touchdowns and after that we kind of stalled out.”

It might need to get going, however, if it wants to have a chance against Penn State Saturday, especially if it wants to prevent the Nittany Lions’ pass rush from being able to tee off like it did late in their upset win over Ohio State.

But maybe PSU is the right opponent. Although its pass defense is solid, fifth in the Big Ten allowing 183 yards per game, it’s been susceptible to giving up yardage on the ground. Its rush defense ranks only 12th, just a spot ahead of Purdue, allowing 203 per game.

Jones could stand to get loose. The sophomore running back has only 69 yards in the last two games, on 19 carries, and he didn’t play vs. Illinois, when backups Brian Lankford-Johnson and Richie Worship combined for 187 in the Boilermakers’ last win.

But Jones, who injured a shoulder in Week 2, is clearly laboring at times, unable to be the kind of physical, pounding runner that he typically is.

The beat-up offensive line hasn’t given him many running lanes. Saturday, Purdue was without left tackle Cameron Cermin, who is playing in place of former starter Martesse Patterson (who is out due to legal issues). It had to start third option Michael Mendez for the first time in the redshirt freshman’s career.

“We have got some warriors that have battled and battled and battled and played injured,” Parker said, “and we appreciate their effort, no doubt about it.

“(Playing banged up), that's this league. As I tell the guys all the time, not kidding, society doesn't care. Our opponent won't care if we are banged up or healthy. But there is no question we have had to patch some things together up front, and it's hurt us at times.”

Defensive tackle Jake Replogle has missed the last two games with an apparent concussion, but Parker, who has been tight lipped about injuries, said “there’s a chance” of a return Saturday.

“Hopefully, a really good chance,” Parker responded after a follow-up attempt.

Parker said reserve corner Myles Norwood did not make the trip to Nebraska, due to injury, which was previously known to be a concussion suffered during the Illinois game.

Norwood's absence hurts because Purdue is short other defensive backs, as well. Nickel back Brandon Roberts and reserve corner David Rose have not been with Purdue since the Iowa game on Oct. 15, sitting out then for what then-coach Darrell Hazell deemed “person conduct” issues.

Tuesday, Parker said the two are still on the team but they’ve not been practicing.

“It's all an internal deal and handled over there,” Parker said, although he did not specifying where “there” is. “But they are still involved in our football team.”

Purdue is adjusting its practice schedule its first full week under Parker, pushing its Sunday session back to Monday night at the outdoor Bimel Complex.

And it will continue to do so.

“We'll go on Monday nights under the lights preparing for some cold weather as we go down the stretch,” Parker said. “So we'll go outside and get used to playing in cold air, and the lights help provide a little bit of juice, because who doesn't like to play under the lights?”

But Parker made the switch not only to get under artificial illumination, but to line up the week to allow better preparation for the next opponent. The players now have Sunday off, aside from eating together, while coaches have more time to watch film and start preparations, like for the Nittany Lions this week.

“Then, (coaches) get a full Monday to do the same thing uninterrupted, instead of trying to throw it out on a Sunday where you're not prepared to do anything for the next week's opponent,” he said.

“So it essentially (Sunday previously) becomes a day where you do a little bit of physical stuff, try to flush out the game, do all those things, but you're not doing any preparation for next week's game.”

Now, Purdue goes on Monday night, gaining an extra practice with the game plan, and then it’s more ready for “bloody” Tuesday, which Parker intents to be the Boilermakers’ most physical day.

“So on that (previous) Tuesdays, when you say, ‘Well, I wonder why that wasn't so clean?’ Well, you just installed a whole new game plan and you're expecting everybody to go out (and be good). But as a coach, you said, “Why’s wrong?’

“So now we are able to have that installed ahead. So you're hoping Tuesday — or we'd better hope and we'd better make it — a whole lot cleaner, because it's already installed and then we keep pushing for some momentum.”

Parker knows the fans are frustrated, but hopes too that they can feel the energy.

Purdue’s not won a lot, only nine games in the last 43 chances, but the Boilermakers played with a renewed intensity at Nebraska.

“I think that the fans felt that and it was good they felt it,” he said a few days after Purdue led at the half at Nebraska but falling 27-14.

“I'm sure they are frustrated and it's been tough. It's been tough on all of us. Tough on them and we recognize that from both sides, and all we're doing is trying to put our guys in the best position possible to be proud of something, especially our seniors, at the end of all this, but also our fans.

“… We want to give you guys something that you're proud of, that we can step away from this and look back on over Christmas and say, ‘You know what, I'll go to war with that.’”

Purdue won’t hold a 211 session on Saturday, ending a short-lived Hazell-initiated event that struggled to catch on with the fan base.

During the session, Hazell and players spoke for a moment during a break in band performances inside Mackey Arena.

Purdue says that it will have a band event from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday in Mackey.

“211,” which took place two hours and 11 minutes before kickoff on home Saturdays, was a reference to the boiling point of water, but it ran out of steam.

• D.J. Knox took up one of the 70 spots on Purdue's travel roster Saturday, even though he wasn't going to play.

Parker explained why.

"Because D.J. loves football, loves Purdue, he's got great energy," he said of the injured running back. "And we want to surround ourselves with that all the time as much as we can. He deserved it."

• Malik Kimbrough's time as Purdue's punt returner might be limited.

Parker was asked whether Kimbrough would continue.

"Good question," he responded.

And asked for a follow-up, Parker would say only reiterate that it was a good question.

Kimbrough has averaged 7.1 yards on nine returns this season, but on Saturday he twice let balls bounce in front of him, one rolling inside Purdue's 5. The junior J.C. transfer was a late addition to Purdue, recruited by Hazell because of his punt return ability.

At Nebraska, freshman Jack Wegher returned kicks, taking off his redshirt to do so, instead of Kimbrough.

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