Written by Garin Turner
The Purdue Boilermakers (3-3, 2-1 Big 10) look to continue its winning ways when they host #2 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0) Saturday, in a primetime game 7:30 PM EST on ABC. The Boilermakers are on a three-game winning streak after losing their first three games on the season. This is the 57th meeting between the teams with the Buckeyes in control 40-14-2. Their last meeting was in 2013 in which Ohio State blanked the Boilermakers 56-0.
Purdue beat the Fighting Illini 46-7 last week. The Illini offense came into that game averaging 260 yards on the ground. The Boilermakers held them to 69. They’ll look to do the same against a Buckeyes team who’s averaging 182 rushing yards a game. Ohio State has a talented one-two punch with J.K Dobbins (109 carries, 497 yards, and 4 touchdowns) and Mike Weber (87 carries, 471 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
The Boilermakers will also have to worry about the passing game as Ohio State has arguably it’s best passing quarterback in years with Dwayne Haskins who’s becoming a strong candidate to win the Heisman this year. Haskins has thrown for 2,331 yards and 28 touchdowns and only four interceptions.
The Boilermakers do have a chance to move the ball and put points on the board against the second-ranked team in the nation. Ohio State is averaging 370 yards allowed on defense including 140 on the ground. Ohio State learned earlier in the week that defensive end Nick Bosa would not be returning to the team as he plans on resting his injury and prepare for the NFL Draft.
David Blough has stepped up at quarterback for the Boilermakers with 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions. He has 1,695 passing yards on the year. Running back D.J. Knox will look to break off some runs for Purdue. His long on the year was a 45-yard run that resulted in a touchdown. Knox has 87 carries for 540 yards and five touchdowns.
