Each week during football season, GoldandBlack.com will take a quick look ahead at Purdue’s next opponent through Pro Football Focus’ data and analytics.
Today, Minnesota.
MINNESOTA OFFENSE
• Based on PFF’s plus-minus style grading, all of Minnesota’s offensive linemen are deep in the red. Right guard Curtis Dunlap and center Conner Olson have graded particularly poorly, more so in run-blocking, but Dunlap’s grades are just as poor in pass protection. He’s allowed nine quarterback hurries and three hits through three games.
Right tackle Daniel Faalele, though, has been docked with allowing the only two sacks the offensive line has been charged for.
Its tight ends, though, Jake Paulson and Ko Kieft, have been graded for run-blocking on 87 and 59 snaps, respectively, and grade as well as anyone on the Gopher offense, suggesting Minnesota will work the edges hard in their running game.
Minnesota has graded particularly well running off the left edge, but in so doing has still only totaled 75 yards on 25 attempts.
Running off right tackle, Minnesota’s done so 20 times for 119 yards.
Point is, Minnesota’s going to attack the edges and run behind its tackles and tight ends, and if the metrics reflect reality, they’re not great up the middle.
• QB Tanner Morgan has graded below average when facing no pressure, but graded positively when he has been pressured. His QB rating is higher vs. the blitz than it is otherwise.
Five of his six touchdowns, but also both of his interceptions, have come against no pressure, but his completion percentages are consistent with pressure, with no pressure, when blitzed and when not blitzed.
Receiver Rashod Bateman is Minnesota’s highest-graded offensive player, and Tyler Johnson is second.
Morgan’s highest QB rating comes throwing deep left, 20 or more yards down the field, but that’s on just 2-of-4, so a small sample size this early in the season.
MINNESOTA DEFENSE
• Corner Antoine Winfield is Minnesota’s second-highest-graded defensive player, with a sparkling grade in pass coverage. Fellow DB Kiondre Thomas grades nearly as well against the pass, but not as well overall because of run defense.
Of note: Winfield has accounted for three quarterback hurries, so that shows Minnesota will use him on corner blitzes.
• Minnesota has recorded eight sacks, from eight different players.
• Defensive tackle Sam Renner is Minnesota’s highest-rated defender, strong both against the run and rushing the passer. However, and we have no details on this, he has been a bit penalty-prone.
• Minnesota’s missed-tackle total through three games: 20.
Today, Minnesota.
MINNESOTA OFFENSE
• Based on PFF’s plus-minus style grading, all of Minnesota’s offensive linemen are deep in the red. Right guard Curtis Dunlap and center Conner Olson have graded particularly poorly, more so in run-blocking, but Dunlap’s grades are just as poor in pass protection. He’s allowed nine quarterback hurries and three hits through three games.
Right tackle Daniel Faalele, though, has been docked with allowing the only two sacks the offensive line has been charged for.
Its tight ends, though, Jake Paulson and Ko Kieft, have been graded for run-blocking on 87 and 59 snaps, respectively, and grade as well as anyone on the Gopher offense, suggesting Minnesota will work the edges hard in their running game.
Minnesota has graded particularly well running off the left edge, but in so doing has still only totaled 75 yards on 25 attempts.
Running off right tackle, Minnesota’s done so 20 times for 119 yards.
Point is, Minnesota’s going to attack the edges and run behind its tackles and tight ends, and if the metrics reflect reality, they’re not great up the middle.
• QB Tanner Morgan has graded below average when facing no pressure, but graded positively when he has been pressured. His QB rating is higher vs. the blitz than it is otherwise.
Five of his six touchdowns, but also both of his interceptions, have come against no pressure, but his completion percentages are consistent with pressure, with no pressure, when blitzed and when not blitzed.
Receiver Rashod Bateman is Minnesota’s highest-graded offensive player, and Tyler Johnson is second.
Morgan’s highest QB rating comes throwing deep left, 20 or more yards down the field, but that’s on just 2-of-4, so a small sample size this early in the season.
MINNESOTA DEFENSE
• Corner Antoine Winfield is Minnesota’s second-highest-graded defensive player, with a sparkling grade in pass coverage. Fellow DB Kiondre Thomas grades nearly as well against the pass, but not as well overall because of run defense.
Of note: Winfield has accounted for three quarterback hurries, so that shows Minnesota will use him on corner blitzes.
• Minnesota has recorded eight sacks, from eight different players.
• Defensive tackle Sam Renner is Minnesota’s highest-rated defender, strong both against the run and rushing the passer. However, and we have no details on this, he has been a bit penalty-prone.
• Minnesota’s missed-tackle total through three games: 20.
