Quick Count: Jeff Brohm's Week 5 press conference
Purdue had a light practice week over its bye with three early-week practices without pads before returning to the practice field Sunday to start preparing for Minnesota.
The Gophers (3-1) will play the Boilermakers at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. Jeff Brohm spoke with reporters Monday about the matchup, his team's health and more.
The top items:
• Couple key injuries updates: Brohm is optimistic QB David Blough (shoulder) will be ready to play Saturday, Tario Fuller (foot/ankle) is a "long shot" and Markell Jones (knee) should be back. Didn't seem sure about DE Austin Larkin (ankle).
• With middle linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley and safety Jacob Thieneman out for the first half after second-half targeting ejections against Michigan, Brohm said Derrick Barnes and Markus Bailey could be options at linebacker, and Antonio Blackmon, T.J. Jallow or even walk-on Brennan Thieneman options as the secondary.
• Brohm wouldn't say who would start at quarterback, sticking with how he's been all season, and said a decision will be made at the end of the week. Continued to stress both QBs have done good things this season.
• On Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck, "He's got his own style. His players will play for him and respond to his coaching. He's a guy who wants to win." Said he's been around him at a couple Big Ten functions.
• Said spent some time during bye week allowing younger players to improve and develop. Much like camp, had separate portions toward the end of practice that highlighted those younger players and allowed them to go head-to-head.
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