Now that it’s officially Music City Bowl week, thought it would be a good time to get a refresher course on the Boilermakers. We broke down this Purdue team in length about a month ago when the contest was announced. Read FIRST GLANCE for additional – but since, some things have changed.
Jeff Brohm’s top offensive option – wide receiver David Bell – has opted out. He’s had a fantastic career in the Black & Gold and 2021 was no exception, leading the squad with 1,286 yards off 93 receptions with six touchdowns. The junior averaged 116 yards receiving per game.
Defensive end George Karlaftis has also opted out. Both All-Americans are projected draft picks while the latter is considered by multiple plaudits as a first-round guy. Karlaftis - a consensus First-Team All-Big 10 player – registered 11.5 TFLs and five sacks this season while adding eight quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.
Junior defensive end Jack Sullivan will take his spot in the 4-3 scheme, but it’s going to be problematic on the offensive end trying to replace Bell. According to Gold and Black, Purdue has been without receivers Yaseen Abdur-Rahmaan and Marshawn Rice. Broc Thompson has been playing hurt and Milton Wright’s status is out due to academic concerns.
For a team that averages 340 yards passing, disaster looms.
There will be plenty of opportunity for younger receivers to break in the rotation for Purdue in this one as the offense has been extremely one-dimensional all season long. Plus, some other key starters did not make the trip to Nashville.
Here’s a couple noteworthy Purdue statistics and notes (from Gold and Black) heading into the contest.
PURDUE INJURIES/OPT-OUTS
Jeff Brohm’s top offensive option – wide receiver David Bell – has opted out. He’s had a fantastic career in the Black & Gold and 2021 was no exception, leading the squad with 1,286 yards off 93 receptions with six touchdowns. The junior averaged 116 yards receiving per game.
Defensive end George Karlaftis has also opted out. Both All-Americans are projected draft picks while the latter is considered by multiple plaudits as a first-round guy. Karlaftis - a consensus First-Team All-Big 10 player – registered 11.5 TFLs and five sacks this season while adding eight quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries.
Junior defensive end Jack Sullivan will take his spot in the 4-3 scheme, but it’s going to be problematic on the offensive end trying to replace Bell. According to Gold and Black, Purdue has been without receivers Yaseen Abdur-Rahmaan and Marshawn Rice. Broc Thompson has been playing hurt and Milton Wright’s status is out due to academic concerns.
For a team that averages 340 yards passing, disaster looms.
There will be plenty of opportunity for younger receivers to break in the rotation for Purdue in this one as the offense has been extremely one-dimensional all season long. Plus, some other key starters did not make the trip to Nashville.
Here’s a couple noteworthy Purdue statistics and notes (from Gold and Black) heading into the contest.
STAT | OFFENSE | OPPONENTS |
| PPG | 27.5 | 20.5 |
| Total O | 424 yds | 342 yds |
| Pass O | 340 yds | 195 yds |
| Rush O | 84 yds | 147 yds |
| 3rd Downs | 44% | 37% |
| 4th downs | 57% | 31% |
| Redzone Scoring | 84% | 74% |
| Redzone TDs | 49% | 51% |
| TOP | 31:38 | 27:54 |
| Sacks given up | 27 | 24 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 16 |
PURDUE INJURIES/OPT-OUTS
| George Karlftis | DE | opt-out |
| David Bell | WR | opt-out |
| Milton Wright | WR | OUT |
| Yaseen Abdur-Rahmaan | WR | OUT |
| Broc Thompson | WR | will play |
| Greg Long | LT | questionable |
| Dedrick Mackey | CB | OUT |
- Purdue has two top-five wins this season (Iowa, Michigan State)
- Purdue lost to Auburn in the 2018 Music City Bowl, 63-14
- With WR troubles, look for TEs Payne Durham & Garrett Miller to have some run
- VIDEO: Brad Lambert, Purdue Co-DC, LBs coach
- VIDEO: Mark Hagan, Purdue Co-DC, DL coach
- VIDEO: DE Jack Sullivan
- VIDEO: DT Branson Deen
- VIDEO: QB Aidon O’Connell
- VIDEO: TE Payne Durham
