WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football quarterback Ryan Browne launched a deep ball over the middle near the end of Monday’s practice, and receiver EJ Horton Jr. gathered it in stride en route to the end zone.
The Boilermakers’ No. 1 offense punctuated its practice with a boisterous celebration of that play.
Advertisement
A few minutes later, Malachi Singleton connected with Jesse Watson for a similar big play up the sideline inside the Mollenkopf Athletic Center. That triggered an even wilder celebration, one which spilled across the sideline and caught an inattentive and agility challenged reporter — the one you’re reading — in the middle of the stampede.
The offense needed positive vibes after its no-show at Northwestern. It needed reinforced belief in its top two quarterbacks for the uncertainty ahead. It walked off the field — after what Barry Odom called the team’s best Monday practice of the season — with some of both.
The Boilermakers do not have a quarterback controversy. Odom called Browne “doubtful” for Saturday’s homecoming game against Rutgers. He said there is a difference between being cleared for non-contact practice and being able to play in a game. Browne’s left, non-throwing shoulder — the one he hurt at Northwestern, forcing him from the game — has not been deemed game ready.
If Browne can play Saturday — and the fact that he worked so extensively with the No. 1 offense Monday suggests the option remains on the table — there’s no question who will start.
Advertisement
“Ryan’s our starting quarterback,” Odom said.
Until Saturday, Browne’s performance, though dotted with costly turnovers, graded out better and more consistently than anyone else on the offense. The offense moved the ball better under Singleton at Northwestern, though he also turned it over twice and never reached the end zone.
All of the above made it worth confirming whether the staff analyzed the starting decision in new context. However, the identity of the starter is not the offense’s primary concern as it prepares for another winless-in-conference-play opponent.
Odom explained why, not in anything he said Monday, but in something he said almost exactly two months earlier. Whichever quarterback takes a snap needs more help from the other 10 spots on the field.
Advertisement
Doyel: Purdue football’s resurgence under Barry Odom stalled. Or maybe it hasn’t started
Where Purdue’s offense falls short regardless of QB
Odom proclaimed Browne the starter Aug. 21 — with two important caveats.
Odom professed his faith in talent beyond Browne in the Boilermakers’ quarterback room. He also said the task of winning did not fall solely on the quarterbacks’ shoulders.
“Ryan will be the starter,” Odom said that day. “Now, the job is, for everybody else around the quarterback position to play at a high level. Make it easier on the quarterback. Gotta be able to play catch. Gotta be able to protect. We’ve gotta be great in our play calls.”
Advertisement
Purdue’s running game has produced better of late, climbing to 10th among Big Ten teams in yards per carry (4.07). It ranks 10th in sack percentage allowed, partially a testament to the mobility of its quarterbacks. It ranks third in passing plays of 10 or more yards, with more than Ohio State or IU or Oregon.
Yet the Boilers also rank last among Big Ten teams in turnover margin. They rank last in red zone scoring percentage and touchdown percentage. While only ranking 12th in tackles for loss allowed, combined with being the second-most penalized Big Ten team in FBS games, the sticks are rarely in Purdue’s favor for long.
Offensive coordinator Josh Henson still sees “amazing” execution — or at least some portion of it. He pointed to the Northwestern loss’ most emblematic example of where the offense stands. One snap after an official review overturned a fumble ruling against the Boilers, Singleton targeted Corey Smith downfield. The play went for 48 yards — until Northwestern’s Braden Taylor knocked the ball out of Smith’s hands and teammate Robert Fitzgerald recovered it.
Purdue provided excellent protection, made a great throw and reeled in the catch — and still had nothing to show for it. Henson said the staff has emphasized not switching the ball while running for exactly that reason. He knows not everyone teaches that technique, but he called that episode a “painful reminder” of what the coaches hoped to avoid.
Advertisement
“We’ve been able to run it and throw it at times with ease,” Henson said. “… I think the identity of the offense right now is that we’re not finishing drives.
“Everything we’re doing, I love, and I think we’re doing it really well and at a really high level at times. We’re just not being consistent.”
Insider: Likes, dislikes from Purdue football’s loss at Northwestern: Quarterback switch after injury
Browne’s seven interceptions are tied with Northwestern’s Preston Stone for most among Big Ten quarterbacks. Those turnovers have also been magnified by breakdowns elsewhere in the offense on other possessions.
Advertisement
Henson said he calls the passing game the same for both QBs. Purdue will utilize Singelton in more aspects of the quarterback run game than Browne, who is utilized there plenty, too.
More security from the receivers, perhaps some good luck with health from some missing targets and continued consistency from the run game will help both quarterbacks.
Avoiding self-sabotage against Rutgers is more important because of the urgency of the calendar — and because it might be the only thing that can stop Purdue in this matchup.
Rutgers provides best chance for offensive breakthrough
Purdue’s offense has one more game to get this right before the degree of difficulty ramps up considerably. In November, the teams it plays rank first, fourth, sixth and ninth among Big Ten teams in yards allowed per play.
Advertisement
Rutgers, Saturday’s homecoming opponent, ranks dead last. As in six feet under the ground floor everyone else established. Against FBS opponents, the Scarlet Knights allow 8.33 yards per play. That’s more than two yards per play more than second-to-worst Michigan State.
Want an even better measuring stick? Last season’s Purdue defense — the one handed the worst beating in program history in Game 2 and then again in Game 12 — allowed 7.03 yards per play against FBS opponents.
The statistics say Rutgers, allowing 40.75 points per Big Ten game, is way worse. It is the easiest Big Ten team to run the ball against AND the easiest to throw on. Oregon put up 750 yards Saturday and scored eight touchdowns over the first three quarters.
This is the week in which Purdue can — must, really — convert its offensive promise to prowess. It should be able to do that regardless of who takes the snaps behind center. Yet this must also be the week it controls the line of scrimmage, doesn’t complicate its own progress with penalties and protects possession.
Otherwise, an October of opportunity might turn into No Win November.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football offense issues extend beyond starting quarterback
