Purdue Preview 2011
#17 Michigan entertains the Purdue Boilermakers for homecoming on October 29 at noon in the Big House. Michigan has had two weeks to prepare after losing its first game of the season to arch rival Michigan State; Purdue comes in with a 4-3 record with losses to Penn State, Notre Dame and Rice, and wins over Illinois, Minnesota, Middle Tennessee State and Southeast Missouri State. Michigan has won 42 of 56 meetings with the Boilermakers including 27 of 32 in the Big House. Michigan is favored by two touchdowns.
On offense, the Boilermakers are led by Junior Quarterback Caleb TerBush. He is 103 for 167 and 1127 yards with 8 TDs and 4 interceptions. He is backed by Senior Robert Marve, and according to Coach Hope, both will play. The Purdue offense is 41 of 102 for 40% on 3rd down conversions, and 90% on red zone conversions; however, they are only 69% efficient in scoring TDs in the red zone. At running back, Juniors Ralph Bolden and Akeem Shavers give Purdue two dangerous weapons. Both are averaging 5 yards per carry and have 8 TDs on the ground. They have 147 carries for 723 yards. At wide receiver, Detroit Senior Justin Siller is their leading receiver with 28 receptions and 284 yards including a 50 yarder. Junior Antavion Edison and Sophomore O.J. Ross are the other starters are receiver; they have 45 receptions, 4 TDs and 605 yards in seven games. Sophomore Gary Bush and Senior Waynelle Gravesande are backup wideouts that may see action. The Tight End is Sophomore Gabe Holmes. Their offensive line is led by Senior Left Tackle Dennis Kelly and Senior Right Guard Nick Mondek. The Right Tackle is Sophomore Trevor Foy, Center is manned by Junior Rick Schmeig and Left Guard is Junior Peters Drey. Purdue is averaging 195 yards per game on the ground ranking them #26th nationally; unfortunately, their passing attack ranks #96th nationally with only 192 yards per game. I think this group will be challenged to put up 20 points against the Wolverines.
The Boilermaker defense is led by Senior WILL Linebacker Joe Holland; he has 54 tackles, 3.5 for loss and two pass break ups. Junior Dwayne Beckford is the MIKE Linebacker and Sophomore Will Lucas is the SAM Linebacker. Senior Chris Carlino may also see action at Linebacker. The defensive line is anchored by Junior Nose Guard Kawann Short; he has 35 tackles, 9.5 for loss including 3.5 sacks and two blocked kicks. The other defensive tackle is Sophomore Bruce Gaston. Redshirt Freshman Ryan Russell and 5th year Senior Gerald Gooden are the defensive ends. Sophomore Ricardo Allen and Junior Josh Johnson are the cornerbacks. Senior Logan Link is the Strong Safety and Senior Albert Evans is the Free Safety. Junior Max Charlot and Redshirt Freshman Landon Feichter may also see action at Safety. Purdue is really playing well at this time on defense as a unit.
Purdue's Special Teams are excellent this year. They are ranked #4 nationally in net punting and #15 nationally in kickoff returns. Their kickoff coverage team ranks #3 in the Big Ten, and their kicker has 19 touchbacks in 41 kickoffs. Senior Carson Wiggs is 9 of 14 in field goals with a 53 yarder. Their punter, Sophomore Cody Webster, is averaging 46.6 yards on 27 punts with 11 punts over 50 yards including a 66 yarder, and 8 punts downed inside the 20. 5th year Senior Waynelle Gravesande is the punt returner, and he averages 8 yards per return. Freshman Raheem Mostert and O.J. Ross handle kickoff returns, and are averaging 25.2 yards per return on 21 returns.
Michigan will be tough to beat at home especially if they can get off to an early lead. Purdue is really improving, their defense and special teams keep them in games while their offense continues to jell. We really need to take control of this game early; otherwise, we are in for a dogfight.
Michigan 35 Purdue 13
Brady Hoke Press Conference on October 26
Greg Mattison Press Conference on October 25
Al Borges Press Conference on October 25
Brady Hoke Press Conference on October 24
Ryan VanBergen Press Conference on October 24
Game Notes for Purdue (Purdue Game Notes for Michigan)
Brady Hoke Press Conference on October 17
Dave Molk Press Conference on October 17