Take a Deep Dive into all things football ....
• Maybe you heard: Jeff Brohm dropped a bit of big news on Wednesday when he said Aidan O’Connell would be a “game-time” decision on Friday.
On the BTN broadcast last week, a sideline reporter said in pregame that Brohm had told the network O’Connell “is dealing with an injury himself from the Illinois game and was limited in practice this week.”
That was news.
While watching the replay of the Illinois game, O’Connell appeared to get hurt on a 2nd-and-11 play from Purdue’s 8-yard line with less than two minutes to go in the game and Purdue desperately clinging to a 31-24 lead.
O’Connell dropped to pass and had it tipped high in the air. O’Connell leaped to bat the ball down before it got picked off. While doing so, an Illinois player collided with O’Connell. That is when the injury appeared to happen. O'Connell noticeabley grimaced and limped after the play, with his left foot looking to be hurt.
On the next play, O’Connell hit David Bell with a huge 27-yard pass for a first-down in what was a game-clinching play.
Two stills of the play when I think O'Connell got hurt on Oct. 31--and apparently still is hurt.
THE HIT ON AOC.
THE LIMP AND GRIMACE.
• The Rondale Moore soap opera plays on. Like it or not, this has become a major theme--maybe THE major theme--for Purdue's 2020 season. The questions about Moore's status will persist. They have to. He's a transcendent talent.
Brohm said Wednesday he is “optimistic” Moore will play vs. Minnesota. So, there you go.
I thought we would see No. 4 this past Saturday vs. Northwestern. From what we had been hearing, Moore practiced with vigor last week. And speculation swirled that he would play for the first time in 2020. Someone close to the situation texted me last week when I asked if Moore would see action vs. NU: “He’s still trying to play.”
Our understanding is Moore is dealing with an injury, likely a hamstring (BTN said as much in its pregame report for the NU game.) And Jeff Brohm’s words after the NU game underscore that.
“I do think he’ll play this year … Every situation is different. As soon as he’s healthy and ready to go, we’ll have him on the field.”
If you recall, Moore injured his left hamstring vs. Minnesota on Sept. 28, 2019. And, he hasn’t played since.
Moore has now missed Purdue’s last 11 games. This season has four regular-season games left: at Minnesota; Rutgers; Nebraska; at Indiana. Plus, the wildcard game on Dec. 18 or 19. Time is running out for Moore to get on the field to show he’s still … Rondale Moore.
• Moore, Part 2 ... This seems like a good time for Moore to take the lid off his 2020 season. Purdue’s game at Minnesota will be on prime-time Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET with lots of eyeballs glued to TV sets. It won’t get lost in the clutter of a Saturday filled with wall-to-wall games. Why not debut and show the world that you are A-OK?
• More, Part 3 ... I talked with a scout for a NFL team this week to ask him how he views the Moore saga from his seat evaluating players.
“I think this year, guys are gonna get a lot of passes,” said the scout, referring to this COVID-rattled season. “There is too much stuff going on. …
“They are getting the benefit of the doubt. There is just too much stuff going on. There’s too many moving parts. It’s tough to keep tabs on everything going on. Who’s playing, who opted out yet. I may be wrong, but I don’t think it will be held against people very much."
Does the scout think Brohm is addled by the weekly Moore drama?
“I could see (Brohm) being frustrated by this being a distraction. Are we supposed to plan for a game with you, or without you? Because, it will probably look a little different.”
The scout went on to say many scouts are “betting on the workouts” to evaluate players. He went on to conclude: “I am grading guys from desk, thousands of miles away. It’s tough to do. I’ve ruined my chair.”
We all know Rondale is gonna test well and excel in workouts. Still, gotta think NFL teams wanna see him deliver the goods between the white lines playing actual football.
IS THE WAIT FINALLY OVER? HMMMM.
• More scout talk ... During my conversation with the scout, I asked about a few Big Ten coaches:
P.J. Fleck: “Kids will buy into (his schtick) if you’re winning. If you’re not, I don’t know. I know some people who have worked for him, couple of NFL guys, and they were worn out by him.”
Tom Allen: “I am a little surprised by IU. They only have a few of their guys on my list to look at. I will say, the head coach is really good. I think he has a good perspective and players wanna play for him.”
Jim Harbaugh: “I don’t think so (when asked in the NFL wants him back). As much as people keep talking about it … maybe an owner (would want him). But I don’t know any general managers that are looking forward to working with him. They can’t keep doing what they doing there with him.”
FLECK AND HIS SCHTICK.
• Nice pick up for Purdue in the transfer market to add burly UNLV RB Dylan Downing, a native of Carmel. At 6-0, 220, he seems to be cut from the mold of a Richie Worship. Downing will be a PWO with a chance to earn a scholarship. The team needs options at running back. He could be a move-the-pile type for a Purdue team that has had luck with walk-ons of late: Aidan O'Connell, Sam Garvin, Zander Horvath, Brennan Thieneman.
I texted with a football staffer at UNLV who told me: “We did not want to lose him.”
• Maybe this isn’t even a debate: But is the Big Ten West better than the Big Ten East this season? I think that may be the case. I never thought we would see this day. But, here we are.
Aside from 3-0 Ohio State and 4-0 Indiana (is it really for real?), the East looks weak. Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State are floundering with a combined 2-10 mark. Maryland (2-1) is the only other East team over .500.
The West features 4-0 Northwestern, 2-0 Wisconsin, 2-1 Purdue and 2-2 Iowa.
COLLETTO AUTHORED ONE OF THE ZANIEST GAMES IN BIG TEN HISTORY.
• Every time Purdue plays at Minnesota, I think of the nutso game between the schools in the old Metrodome in 1993. It was one of the wildest in Boiler and Big Ten annals.
Minnesota won, 59-56. The teams combined for 115 points and 1,184 yards—625 for Minnesota and 559 for Purdue. The 56 points were the most scored by a losing team in NCAA annals.
“The defense was awful,” said Jim Colletto. “The offense was real good. It was a trade.”
Mike Alstott was good. Real good. He scored a school-record five TDs, running 21 times for 171 yards.
Another gem Colletto quote: “This is probably the worst loss I’ve ever been around, certainly at Purdue."
The game was tied 56-56 with 2:06 left. Minnesota drove 90 yards in eight plays and Mike Charlberg kicked the only field goal of the game (18 yards) to give Minnesota the win.
Purdue went on to finish 1-10 (0-8 Big Ten) in 1993.
After the debacle, Colletto accepted the resignations of DC Moe Ankney and d-line coach Tony Caviglia. Colletto promoted DB/ST coach Pat Henderson to DC. Chester Caddas was brought out of an administrative position to coach the d-line.
I don't recall Purdue ever making in-season coaching changes like this before or since.
IN-SEASON STAFF CHANGES AREN'T PURDUE'S STYLE ... BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AFTER AN EPIC LOSS IN 1993 AT MINNESOTA.
• More Minnesota talk … this is a big, big game, in my mind. Purdue (2-1) can’t afford to lose—again—to P.J. Fleck and Minnesota (1-3). This is a struggling Golden Gopher squad with a horrid defense. A second loss in succession could send the season sideways for Purdue. A win? Suddenly, things look rosy again with games at home vs. Rutgers and Nebraska on deck. What’s it mean? The Boilermakers could be 5-1 heading to Indiana for the finale on Dec. 12. That’s what this program needs. A 4-2 mark also would be a boost with that one wild-card game left to be played the final weekend of the season: Dec. 18-19.
Who could likely be Purdue’s foe that last weekend? Maybe someone like Maryland or Michigan. A game with the Wolverines could be ... interesting.
Sounds like the Big Ten is trying to finalize plans for that final weekend. Campus sites still could be used, along with neutral site domes. Big Ten ADs meeting today.
• Much has been made about the lack of fans and how that has taken away home-field advantage. So, through four weeks of Big Ten action, what are the home-road records? Check it out:
East:
5-8 home (.385)
7-6 away (.538)
West:
6-6 home (.500)
7-5 away (.583)
As a point of reference, here are home-away division records in 2019:
East:
32-14 home (.696)
17-19 away (.472)
West:
30-19 home (.612)
18-18 away (.500)
Away teams have better records than home teams this season; it was opposite in 2019 when fans attended games.
So, there you go. It's true. Lack of fans has stripped away home-field edge. Not a shock.
* I still can't believe this: Minnesota is 5-0 all-time against Purdue at TCF Bank Stadium with wins in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. The Gophers last home loss to Purdue was a 45-31 setback at the Metrodome in 2007.
Thanks for reading!
• Maybe you heard: Jeff Brohm dropped a bit of big news on Wednesday when he said Aidan O’Connell would be a “game-time” decision on Friday.
On the BTN broadcast last week, a sideline reporter said in pregame that Brohm had told the network O’Connell “is dealing with an injury himself from the Illinois game and was limited in practice this week.”
That was news.
While watching the replay of the Illinois game, O’Connell appeared to get hurt on a 2nd-and-11 play from Purdue’s 8-yard line with less than two minutes to go in the game and Purdue desperately clinging to a 31-24 lead.
O’Connell dropped to pass and had it tipped high in the air. O’Connell leaped to bat the ball down before it got picked off. While doing so, an Illinois player collided with O’Connell. That is when the injury appeared to happen. O'Connell noticeabley grimaced and limped after the play, with his left foot looking to be hurt.
On the next play, O’Connell hit David Bell with a huge 27-yard pass for a first-down in what was a game-clinching play.
Two stills of the play when I think O'Connell got hurt on Oct. 31--and apparently still is hurt.
THE HIT ON AOC.
THE LIMP AND GRIMACE.
• The Rondale Moore soap opera plays on. Like it or not, this has become a major theme--maybe THE major theme--for Purdue's 2020 season. The questions about Moore's status will persist. They have to. He's a transcendent talent.
Brohm said Wednesday he is “optimistic” Moore will play vs. Minnesota. So, there you go.
I thought we would see No. 4 this past Saturday vs. Northwestern. From what we had been hearing, Moore practiced with vigor last week. And speculation swirled that he would play for the first time in 2020. Someone close to the situation texted me last week when I asked if Moore would see action vs. NU: “He’s still trying to play.”
Our understanding is Moore is dealing with an injury, likely a hamstring (BTN said as much in its pregame report for the NU game.) And Jeff Brohm’s words after the NU game underscore that.
“I do think he’ll play this year … Every situation is different. As soon as he’s healthy and ready to go, we’ll have him on the field.”
If you recall, Moore injured his left hamstring vs. Minnesota on Sept. 28, 2019. And, he hasn’t played since.
Moore has now missed Purdue’s last 11 games. This season has four regular-season games left: at Minnesota; Rutgers; Nebraska; at Indiana. Plus, the wildcard game on Dec. 18 or 19. Time is running out for Moore to get on the field to show he’s still … Rondale Moore.
• Moore, Part 2 ... This seems like a good time for Moore to take the lid off his 2020 season. Purdue’s game at Minnesota will be on prime-time Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET with lots of eyeballs glued to TV sets. It won’t get lost in the clutter of a Saturday filled with wall-to-wall games. Why not debut and show the world that you are A-OK?
• More, Part 3 ... I talked with a scout for a NFL team this week to ask him how he views the Moore saga from his seat evaluating players.
“I think this year, guys are gonna get a lot of passes,” said the scout, referring to this COVID-rattled season. “There is too much stuff going on. …
“They are getting the benefit of the doubt. There is just too much stuff going on. There’s too many moving parts. It’s tough to keep tabs on everything going on. Who’s playing, who opted out yet. I may be wrong, but I don’t think it will be held against people very much."
Does the scout think Brohm is addled by the weekly Moore drama?
“I could see (Brohm) being frustrated by this being a distraction. Are we supposed to plan for a game with you, or without you? Because, it will probably look a little different.”
The scout went on to say many scouts are “betting on the workouts” to evaluate players. He went on to conclude: “I am grading guys from desk, thousands of miles away. It’s tough to do. I’ve ruined my chair.”
We all know Rondale is gonna test well and excel in workouts. Still, gotta think NFL teams wanna see him deliver the goods between the white lines playing actual football.
IS THE WAIT FINALLY OVER? HMMMM.
• More scout talk ... During my conversation with the scout, I asked about a few Big Ten coaches:
P.J. Fleck: “Kids will buy into (his schtick) if you’re winning. If you’re not, I don’t know. I know some people who have worked for him, couple of NFL guys, and they were worn out by him.”
Tom Allen: “I am a little surprised by IU. They only have a few of their guys on my list to look at. I will say, the head coach is really good. I think he has a good perspective and players wanna play for him.”
Jim Harbaugh: “I don’t think so (when asked in the NFL wants him back). As much as people keep talking about it … maybe an owner (would want him). But I don’t know any general managers that are looking forward to working with him. They can’t keep doing what they doing there with him.”
FLECK AND HIS SCHTICK.
• Nice pick up for Purdue in the transfer market to add burly UNLV RB Dylan Downing, a native of Carmel. At 6-0, 220, he seems to be cut from the mold of a Richie Worship. Downing will be a PWO with a chance to earn a scholarship. The team needs options at running back. He could be a move-the-pile type for a Purdue team that has had luck with walk-ons of late: Aidan O'Connell, Sam Garvin, Zander Horvath, Brennan Thieneman.
I texted with a football staffer at UNLV who told me: “We did not want to lose him.”
• Maybe this isn’t even a debate: But is the Big Ten West better than the Big Ten East this season? I think that may be the case. I never thought we would see this day. But, here we are.
Aside from 3-0 Ohio State and 4-0 Indiana (is it really for real?), the East looks weak. Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State are floundering with a combined 2-10 mark. Maryland (2-1) is the only other East team over .500.
The West features 4-0 Northwestern, 2-0 Wisconsin, 2-1 Purdue and 2-2 Iowa.
COLLETTO AUTHORED ONE OF THE ZANIEST GAMES IN BIG TEN HISTORY.
• Every time Purdue plays at Minnesota, I think of the nutso game between the schools in the old Metrodome in 1993. It was one of the wildest in Boiler and Big Ten annals.
Minnesota won, 59-56. The teams combined for 115 points and 1,184 yards—625 for Minnesota and 559 for Purdue. The 56 points were the most scored by a losing team in NCAA annals.
“The defense was awful,” said Jim Colletto. “The offense was real good. It was a trade.”
Mike Alstott was good. Real good. He scored a school-record five TDs, running 21 times for 171 yards.
Another gem Colletto quote: “This is probably the worst loss I’ve ever been around, certainly at Purdue."
The game was tied 56-56 with 2:06 left. Minnesota drove 90 yards in eight plays and Mike Charlberg kicked the only field goal of the game (18 yards) to give Minnesota the win.
Purdue went on to finish 1-10 (0-8 Big Ten) in 1993.
After the debacle, Colletto accepted the resignations of DC Moe Ankney and d-line coach Tony Caviglia. Colletto promoted DB/ST coach Pat Henderson to DC. Chester Caddas was brought out of an administrative position to coach the d-line.
I don't recall Purdue ever making in-season coaching changes like this before or since.
IN-SEASON STAFF CHANGES AREN'T PURDUE'S STYLE ... BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AFTER AN EPIC LOSS IN 1993 AT MINNESOTA.
• More Minnesota talk … this is a big, big game, in my mind. Purdue (2-1) can’t afford to lose—again—to P.J. Fleck and Minnesota (1-3). This is a struggling Golden Gopher squad with a horrid defense. A second loss in succession could send the season sideways for Purdue. A win? Suddenly, things look rosy again with games at home vs. Rutgers and Nebraska on deck. What’s it mean? The Boilermakers could be 5-1 heading to Indiana for the finale on Dec. 12. That’s what this program needs. A 4-2 mark also would be a boost with that one wild-card game left to be played the final weekend of the season: Dec. 18-19.
Who could likely be Purdue’s foe that last weekend? Maybe someone like Maryland or Michigan. A game with the Wolverines could be ... interesting.
Sounds like the Big Ten is trying to finalize plans for that final weekend. Campus sites still could be used, along with neutral site domes. Big Ten ADs meeting today.
• Much has been made about the lack of fans and how that has taken away home-field advantage. So, through four weeks of Big Ten action, what are the home-road records? Check it out:
East:
5-8 home (.385)
7-6 away (.538)
West:
6-6 home (.500)
7-5 away (.583)
As a point of reference, here are home-away division records in 2019:
East:
32-14 home (.696)
17-19 away (.472)
West:
30-19 home (.612)
18-18 away (.500)
Away teams have better records than home teams this season; it was opposite in 2019 when fans attended games.
So, there you go. It's true. Lack of fans has stripped away home-field edge. Not a shock.
* I still can't believe this: Minnesota is 5-0 all-time against Purdue at TCF Bank Stadium with wins in 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. The Gophers last home loss to Purdue was a 45-31 setback at the Metrodome in 2007.
Thanks for reading!
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