Purdue offensive line excited for Auburn's D-line challenge

The members of Purdue's offensive line are tired of hearing about the Southeastern Conference defensive line they'll be facing in the Music City Bowl.

While Auburn's defensive line features a possible first-round pick in the upcoming draft and several four- and five-star talents, Purdue's offensive line will have three seniors and welcome back starter Grant Hermanns at left tackle. This group of veterans is hoping to do their part to help Jeff Brohm keep his record unscathed in postseason play.

"We have a lot of seniors on this team that want to showcase what they're all about," said Brohm, who is 3-0 in bowl games, after practice Sunday. "This is the best opportunity. This is, in my opinion, an all-star game where you can go against some of the very best."

Brohm said following a practice last week that he believes this Music City Bowl "will be won or lost in the trenches." This comment by the second-year Boilermaker head coach could be a sign that Purdue feels like it has athletes good enough to compete in the perimeter passing game but will need to handle Auburn's physicality up front to get big plays for All-American Rondale Moore and fifth-year quarterback David Blough.

Hermanns, who is back starting at left tackle following a four-game absence following an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, says he's physically ready to handle Auburn's pass-rush coming off the edge.

"Nobody wants to hear they're going to get bullied and our offensive line, we don't accept that," Hermanns said. "We expect to go down there and play as hard as we can against a good football team. We expect to win the game."

Auburn will likely be without Nick Coe, the Tigers' sack leader from the 2018 season, but still has the personnel to provide a consistent threat inside for seniors Kirk Barron, Dennis Edwards and Shane Evans in the bowl game on Dec. 28 (1:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

"These Auburn defensive ends are going to be a challenge," Hermanns said. "Matt (McCann) and I are excited at having the job of giving David as much time as he needs to sling the ball down the field."

- Today was Purdue's final full-pad practice before bowl game. It was also the last time practice ended with a scrimmage session for the younger players that today was called "The Super Bowl." The scrimmage produced big plays by freshman Amad Anderson Jr. including a big catch and hurdle of a defender down the sideline and a touchdown on a jet sweep play. Brohm said he was very impressed with the offense in the scrimmage session.

- Jacob Thieneman was not in a non-contact jersey today and all signs point to the senior safety being able to start and play in the Music City Bowl.

- The absences of Rondale Moore from practice over the last week or so has been due to the freshman dealing with an illness. Brohm confirmed tonight Moore had dropped some weight after going through strep throat and wanted to hold him out of some practices to get him back healthy.

- Brohm said Hermanns looks as solid as he did when he was in the starting lineup in the middle of the season. Eric Swingler still has his right ankle taped heavily but Brohm said he's optimistic he'll be ready to play.

- Brohm said the plan for the team is go through some unpadded practices that will act as glorified walk-through sessions once they get to Nashville for practices on Christmas Day and Dec. 26.

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