Quick Count: Jeff Brohm's Week 11 press conference
The following are notes from Jeff Brohm's press conference on Monday, as Purdue gets ready to head to Iowa after its 23-13 loss at Northwestern.
• After Saturday's loss, Coach Jeff Brohm challenged the Boilermakers, saying that anyone who didn't want to buy in could turn in their pads.
Monday, he was asked if any players had done so.
"Not as far as I know," Brohm said. "I think everybody will respond. Any time you lose, it's tough. ... but it's a big learning experience. We definitely have had plenty of those.
"This is an important week for us. If you don't come ready to play (vs. Iowa), it could be a very big challenge."
• Brohm was asked where Purdue had improved in the last couple weeks.
He mentioned the defense, particularly the front, and areas of special teams as part of his lengthy answer.
"I think improvement is being made, but we've got a ways to go," he said. "As I told the team after the game, I do think we played hard, but I don't think we were the tougher team or the smarter team. It doesn't mean we didn't try."
• Purdue had three consecutive three-and-outs Saturday, falling behind early to Northwestern. And the offense didn't really get untracked until the second half.
"We've got to find a way to start faster, build a lead," Brohm said. "... That's easier said than done, but that's a goal."
Brohm thinks a good start would be a boost mentally.
"I think it would help us at this point," he said. "We haven't won as many lately, it would help our confidence."
Purdue's been more conservative early in games recently, Brohm said, trying to establish a running game. But those days might be over, with Brohm saying Purdue would likely be more aggressive early at Iowa.
"We have to come out on the attack," he said. "If we do some out on the short end, I don't want it to be because we didn't throw enough punches."
• Running back Tario Fuller will have surgery on his injured ankle later this month, around Nov. 20, per Brohm.
The sophomore has been out since the third game of the season, missing due to what had previously been described as a bone bruise. After three games, Fuller was Purdue's leading rusher, with 261 yards, which still ranks second on team.
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