By Garin Turner
Purdue (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) looks to make it three in a row when they travel to face Maryland (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) on Saturday at noon EST. on the Big Ten Network. The Boilermakers were able to shut down the Minnesota Gophers running game en route to a 20-10 victory. The Gophers were ranked 21st at the time. It was the Boilermakers sixth victory over a Top 25 team under head coach Jeff Brohm. Purdue also forced three interceptions in the game.
The Boilermakers are averaging 32.8 points a game while allowing 20.6. They are one of six teams in the Big Ten West that have a 1-1 record. QB Aidan O’Connell is still battling an upper-body injury. He’s thrown for 1,999 yards and eight touchdowns. WR Charlie Jones has 47 receptions (second in the nation) for 588 yards (fourth in the nation) and seven touchdowns (tied for second in the nation).
Safety Cam Allen had two of the three interceptions last week which earned him BIG Defensive Player of the Week honors. Allen has three INTs on the year which is fifth in the country and he leads the Big Ten.
For the Terrapins, they’re coming off a 27-13 win against Michigan State last week. Taulia Tagovailoa went 32/41 for 314 yards and a passing TD. Antwain Littleton II rushed 19 times for 120 yards and a score for Maryland. He has 267 yards on the year and two scores. Tagovailoa has eight passing TDs on the year and 1,416 passing yards.
Maryland is averaging 35 points a game while giving up 21. The defense has given up 392 yards a game. The Terrapins lead the series 2-1.
