Observations on the Purdue win, 23-21!

1-They have created four red zone opportunities for 14 points to our two opportunities (actually call it one an a half) for 10 points.

2-Navarre was solid again with 17 of 35 for 271 yards, 1 pick and 1 TD. Bellamy had 7 catches for 83 yards; Edwards had 3 catches for 71 yards and 1 TD. Askew had 3 catches for 73 yards; 16 rushes for 42 yards and 1 TD.

3-Our special teams are terrible; Iowa will have a huge advantage next week because their special teams are excellent. Field goals and extra points are self-explanatory; our coaches have no confidence in the placekickers so they try to fake whenever possible. Our punt return players are terrible; Shazor and Williams simply don't do the job. They overrun coverage or take penalties for being in the halo zone; our punt return coverage is not good. Finley is doing a good job punting with a 42+ yard average, but our net punting is terrible especially with all the touchbacks and poor return coverage. Our punt blocking or punt rush is also terrible; we are no threat to block punts and we take penalties trying to on a regular basis giving the other team a chance to keep time of possession after our defense has come up with stops. Our kickoff return team is very, very average; we have a great return man that we are choosing to redshirt rather than be a difference maker. Our kickoff coverage team is below average; we regularly allow 30+ yard returns every game. We are really fortunate Chambers didn't take back a punt or kickoff further. Our coaches have really done a poor job preparing our players here, and our players have done a poor job executing on special teams overall in the Purdue game and the first seven games of this season. I don't think we can beat Iowa or Ohio State unless something changes quickly here, and I'm not holding my breath.

4-Well, injuries are finally affecting us BIG TIME! Julius Curry went out, then Perry; Perry came back, but Curry didn't. Stenavich and Lentz didn't make the trip along with Heuer so we are down several key players. Can we play over it? Shaw is now seeing time at strong safety along with Drake. Morgan gets the start at left tackle, and already has shown he can't pass block their DE (he has one sack and many hurries). Avant, Stewart and Watson were the only true freshman who played.

5-Our running game is mediocre; we had 149 yards net rushing on 36 rushes with Perry getting 73 on 16 attempts and Askew with 42. Calvin Bell's 34 yard TD reverse increased out total significantly. On the bright side, we didn't fumble. We obviously don't trust Bracken or Underwood to spell Perry; neither played despite Perry's injury. Our offensive line couldn't even get a yard on at least 3 occasions. We aren't reading for the #1 rushing defense in the Big Ten, the Iowa Hawkeyes.

6-Give Jeremy LeSueur the game ball on defense. He had 8 tackles and 3 pass break ups although he was only credited with 2. He did a nice job all day long in cover, getting Kirsch and on special teams. Marlin Jackson also had 8 tackles, but was burned for another TD by Standeford. Hobson was in on 7 tackles including 3 for loss, and Kaufman also had 7 plus the interception and a sack. We really missed Zia Combs on defense, and we miss Heuer. Orr got a big sack, but overall our pass rush really isn't a threat. We had 4 sacks, but the only time we really get pressure is when we blitz.

7-I gave Tiller praise at halftime for a great game plan, but he really blew it for the Boilermakers and clinched the game for us when he took out Kirsch and put in Orton. That was so stupid on his part. Orton threw 2 interceptions, came in "cold" after Kirsch had done a super job keeping our defense off-balance all day. He should have kept up the pressure with the run and pass, and tired out our defense further. Kirsch was 18 of 34 for 187 yards and 1 TD; Orton was 5 of 9 for 58 yards and 2 picks. Kirsch ran for 69 yards on 15 attempts and 1 TD. Purdue had 131 net rushing yards on 36 attempts including 4 sacks. Stubblefield had 11 catches for 108 yards, and Standeford had 4 catches for 57 yards and 1 TD. Purdue had 22 first downs to our 18, and we did force them to punt 7 times and we punted 6 times. The difference ended up being two missed field goals by them, and one make by Nienberg. Purdue had nearly 9 minutes time of possession advantage that resulted in 7 more offensive plays; it could've been a difference, but wasn't.

Observations on the first half with Purdue, 10-7!

1-They have created three red zone opportunities for 7 points to our two opportunities (actually call it one an a half) for 10 points.

2-They are obviously dominating time of possession, and third down conversions; I'm not sure by how much because Game Day Live isn't working.

3-Our punt return coverage is still atrocious; Shazor continues to overrun the punt or not get close to a tackling position. Chambers has burned us on two returns; we were lucky to get a clip call on the last one. Our punt block coverage still haunts us as we took another running into the punter penalty. Finally, Julius Curry fumbles our first punt return; luckily Drake was nearby for the recovery. Our special teams absolutely SUCK!!! That is attributable to poor coaching along with poor execution. Fortunately, we hit the short field goal to put us ahead. The coaching staff must have no confidence in Brabbs; I thought he'd try to 50 yard FG attempt, instead he pooch punts for another touchback.

4-Well, injuries are finally affecting us BIG TIME! Julius Curry went out, then Perry; neither are back in. Stenavich and Lentz didn't make the trip along with Heuer so we are down several key players. Can we play over it? Shaw is now seeing time at strong safety along with Drake. Morgan gets the start at left tackle, and already has shown he can't pass block their DE (he has one sack and many hurries).

5-Our running game started fast, but we only have about 30 yards compared to well over 100 by Purdue. Bracken came in first, not Underwood. Askew did look good in running the goal line running from tailback behind Sanderson.

6-We are really lucky to be ahead; we should be behind. They've missed two field goals and haven't taken advantage of their drives. Our defense looks disorganized and terrible. Our pass rush is terrible; the only time we get close to a sack is when we blitz. Our defensive ends seem to never know how to contain on the outside. Stevens, Orr, Kashama are all getting burnt outside by Kirsch. One time, Drake tried to blitz and Kirsch ran right by him for a gain to the 11 (almost 20 yard gain).

7-Tiller has a great game plan although his players aren't necessarily executing it in a great way. He is bound and determined to exploit our defensive weaknesses by running the quarterback, passing to set up the run, etc.