Purdue football showed exactly who they are in a brutal 31-17 loss to Penn State at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, getting absolutely schooled by a Nittany Lions team that was 0-4 in the Big Ten coming into this game. It was a “get-right” game for Penn State, and Purdue was clearly the opponent they needed. Just like Washington did to them a couple weeks back, the Boilermakers were found out, tying the game early in the second quarter only through special teams, and then just completely disappearing.
The ‘F’ Word, Literally: Offense Gets an F
You’d think a team that struggles against the run would be a perfect target, right? Penn State came in ranked 17th in the Big Ten against the run, and Purdue *had* to be able to run the ball. Fame Ijeboi even kicked things off with two 8-yard runs on the opening drive. It felt like a stage was set, but it never happened. Despite the defense actually doing its job in the second half, giving the offense multiple chances with good field position, Purdue’s only offensive touchdown was a straight-up “scramble, heave and prayer” that Xavier Townsend miraculously caught after drawing pass interference on their second drive. That’s it. For the whole game. An F, plain and simple, for the offense.
Defense and Coaching: No Answers, All Problems
The defense didn’t fare much better, earning a D+. Before Saturday, Penn State was averaging 130 rushing yards per game. By the end of the *first quarter* against Purdue, they already had 124. Let that sink in. Penn State had so little respect for this Boilermaker defense, they were out there on fourth-and-short at their own 28-yard line, leading by a touchdown, and just converted it like it was nothing. They converted two other fourth downs in the first half too. Oh, and Penn State was playing without their two leading receivers. That’s how bad it was. Props to the D for locking it down in the second half, but the damage was done.
And the coaching? A D grade. After two weeks to iron out wrinkles, this is what we got? “Complementary football” seems like a foreign concept to this team. The offense is straight-up regressing, and the defense, which started the season poorly, hasn’t improved outside of a tiny two-game breakout. What do you do with that? It’s no surprise that Penn State running back Cam Wallace, who had a mere 125 rushing yards *all season*, blew past that total with 131 yards against Purdue alone. That’s how bad it was.
Special Teams: The Lone Bright Spot (Mostly)
If there’s one consistent thing Purdue fans can count on, it’s James Shibest’s special teams unit. They got a B+ for a reason! Bisi Owens blocked his second punt of the season, and Jalil Hall, a Pennsylvania native who missed 11 games last season due to injury, scooped it up and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. Luke Raab, Dylan Drennan, Jacobo Echeverria Lozano, and Seth Turner might just be the best specialists unit in the Big Ten. Drennan did have a rare shank, which probably docked them a letter grade, but honestly, without these guys, who knows how much worse this report card would have been.
With only four games left in the regular season, you have to wonder if there’s any time left to turn this ship around. The coaching staff has to find some answers, and fast, or this season is going to be over before we know it, just a frustrating memory.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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