Ten observations: Purdue-Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS -- This is what has us talking after Purdue's 20-10 win at No. 21 Minnesota. The victory at the Gophers' Homecoming makes the Boilermakers 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Big Ten.
1 - Aidan O'Connell played
Just like the week before, the status of Purdue's No. 1 quarterback was unknown all week. O'Connell didn't suit up vs. Florida Atlantic last Saturday. But he did today, with news breaking mid-morning he would get the start.
O'Connell had his moments, but he didn't seem to be his usual self. There were few shots downfield and his passes seemed to lack drive/velocity. But he was good enough, hitting 27-of-40 passes for 199 yards and two picks.
"He really didn't practice until Thursday, and that's a lighter practice for us," said Jeff Brohm. "I think he felt like he could probably go then. But we wanted to continue to see how he was Friday and even today. We got the other quarterbacks ready to go. They had a good week of practice, and we were ready to use them if we had to. But I think Aidan just thought he could do it."
2 - Charlie Jones delivers late
He entered the day No. 1 in the nation in catches (41) but was largely held in check. At one point in the first half, Jones was helped off the field with what appeared to be a right leg injury. But, he quickly returned.
With O'Connell not on his game, it impacted Jones. He finished with 6 catches on 10 targets for 55 yards. His previous season-low was last week, when he had 9 catches for 59 yards with two TDs.
Still, in a 10-10 game in the fourth quarter, Jones made the biggest catch of the day: a 28-yarder that setup a go-ahead Mitchell Fineran 25-yard field goal.
3 - Delivering big plays in crunch time
There just wasn't much at all downfield for this offense for a second game in a row.
Instead, Purdue mostly worked the edges. Minnesota was refusing to get beat deep, making Purdue work underneath and daring the Boilermakers to run the ball. Purdue did, finishing with 27 carries for 160 yards (5.9 ypc) and two TDs.
But, with the game on the line in the final quarter, Purdue delivered its two biggest plays of the day: The aforementioned 28-yard grab by Jones that setup a field goal, followed by Devin Mockobee's 68-yard jaunt that setup his own 2-yard TD run to give Purdue a 20-10 edge.
4 - Devin Mockobee legend grows
The redshirt freshman walk-on keeps impressing.
Today, he stunned this gold-and-maroon crowd with a fourth quarter 68-yard dash to the Minnesota 2-yard line. The next play, he ran it in from two yards to give Purdue a 20-10 lead.
Mockobee hadn't done much to that point. But, he delivered in crunch time. He finished the day with 112 yards on 11 carries (10.2 ypc). So, the last two weeks, Purdue has had a walk-on rush for 100 yards, with Dylan Downing doing it vs. FAU.
"Well, he's a prime example of a young man who's hungry and out to prove himself," said Brohm. "He came here as a walk-on. He's probably 190 pounds dripping wet.
"Devin is slippery and he runs hard, and he doesn't go down. And he really has no fear. And that's kind of qualities that sometimes you can't teach. But he has that. So, I just think as he continues to grow and get bigger and stronger and understand how the game works, he can do great things for us."
5 - Opportunity seized
Minnesota was begging to get beat on this day.
A double-digit favorite coming off four blowout wins, the Gophers struggled on offense, finishing with 304 yards. QB Tanner Morgan, a noted Purdue killer, hit just 18-of-33 passes for 257 yards with three picks.
"A big win for our football team, without question," said Brohm. "It's one of the prouder moments I've had being the coach here at Purdue. To be around a group of guys that have just fought hard every week. Every week hasn't been pretty, but they haven't lost confidence."
6 - Cam "Mr. Pick" Allen
Purdue generated three turnovers ... all on interceptions. And Cam Allen had two, including the game-sealer in the fourth quarter when Minnesota was trying to rally from a 20-10 deficit. Allen also had a pick in the end zone that loomed large, killing a great opportunity for the Gophers earlier in the game. Allen has three picks in 2022 and 10 in his career.
7 - Purdue defensive flex
With the game on the line, the defense delivered for a second week in a row.
Last week, the D forced a fumble to seal victory vs. FAU This week, it turned back Minnesota while clinging to a 13-10 lead, forcing a three-and-out and then picking off a pass when Purdue led, 20-10.
"I thought we had a good plan together on the defensive side of the ball with a little bit of disguise, a little bit of solid base defense to just create enough confusion," said Brohm. "We tackled better, kept the ball in front of us. Then, when they got the ball, we found a way to get timely turnovers, which was crucial."
The D played well all game, limiting Minnesota to 47 yards rushing on 26 totes (1.8 ypc). This was a Minnesota offense that had off-the-charts numbers entering the day: No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing (294.5 ypg); No. 9 in passing (248.5); No. 2 in total offense (543.0 ypg); No. 3 in scoring (45.8 ppg).
The Boilermaker defense flexed on this day. No doubt, Minnesota was hurt by the absence of No. 1 RB Mo Irbrahim, the No. 2 rusher in the Big Ten (567 rush yards) who was out with injury. Still, hat's off to this Purdue defense.
8 - Ready for this moment
Purdue was steeled for this moment, having lost two games by a combined seven points in September. No doubt, the daunting early-season slate has prepared Purdue for tough Big Ten battle.
"I do think traditionally since I've been here, we've had a really good schedule," said Brohm. "That may not be as many wins as you like. But you're playing tough football games every week. You're learning. It's not a wasted week where you're starting to feel good about yourself, pat yourself on the back. We've had four tough weeks of figuring out ways to get better, what can we do to improve. ... "
9 - Big Ten West favs?
This was a confidence-building win for Purdue and shows it's a legit contender in what looks like a wide-open Big Ten West. Brohm was asked in the postgame: Why can't Purdue win the West for the first time?
"Well, I don't even know any other scores (from today)," he said. "So, I hope you're right."
Up next, a trip to Maryland. That's followed by a visit from Nebraska and a game at Wisconsin before the Boilermakers finish this big month of October with an off week.
10 - Will Aidan be OK going forward?
Even while the offense languished for much of this game, Brohm says he never considered switching quarterbacks.
"No, we had worked the others all week and we did have a run game package for the others," said Brohm. "I thought about going to it at times when we got stale. I just thought Aidan felt like he was decent enough. But, no, we wanted to stick with him."
Is O'Connell OK for next week?
"We'll see how he comes out of it," said Brohm. "We had him all padded up and I'm hoping that he'd come out of it pretty well and be ready again next week."
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