It's now been over 20 years since Purdue pulled off a victory over the Wisconsin Badgers. While the Badgers looked at times like an evolving offensive team, it was still Braelon Allen leading the charge against the Boilermakers. Purdue looked totally outmatched in the first half before mounting a comeback that would fall short in the second half.
Here's a few Quick Hits from the game:
Mockobee ceded carries to not just Tracy, but Downing, who went 6 carries for 30 yards and it appears the coaching staff is either sending a message to Mockobee or has lost some trust in the former walk-on turned freshman sensation last season. Regardless of Mockobee, Tracy has made a case for more touches in another game and looks to be a real game breaker for the Boilers.
After dropping 21 points to Wisconsin in the first half, and then giving Allen a 52 yard run to start the second half, the Purdue defense did its job in the second half. It held Wisconsin to just field goals in the third, and Botros Alisandro took the ball away from Wisconsin after jumping an out route. (Alisandro has been consistently burned this season deep.) Allen is one of the best running backs in the country and if you take away the 52 yard gain, he had just 64 yards on 14 carries. Purdue got no pressure on Mordecai in the first half, but Purdue made solid adjustments to get to Mordecai, and more importantly, shored up its tackling. It's still alarming that mobile quarterbacks seem to puzzle the defense as much as it does. Mordecai went untouched in a similar keeper to what Syracuse burned Purdue with last week. But the defense and the defensive coaches had a good game plan going into the second half and really played physical with a solid Badgers running game in the second half.
Purdue once again shot itself in the foot, over and over again, with penalties. Offensively they put themselves in terrible positions with holding calls early, forcing itself to play behind the chains. Face mask penalties on the other end including a late hit on a kickoff return that set Wisconsin up with good field positioning. Purdue is not good enough to beat other teams while beating itself.
While ultimately another loss to Wisconsin is not a positive, the Boilers responded in the second half, driving with a chance to cut the lead to one after looking like it'd be blown out in the first half. The final score remains ugly, but Purdue's fight was apparent, especially on the defensive front.
But something still seems to be missing on the offensive end.
Here's a few Quick Hits from the game:
Is this Tracy's backfield?
After Mockobee's fumbles help cost Purdue the game against Syracuse (as well as Cards), Mockobee was hit with an or distinction in the depth chart. The starting running back for Purdue because Mockobee or Tyrone Tracy Jr.. Tracy Jr. had a big game against Wisconsin, going 8 for 84 on the ground including a 19 yard touchdown run and another 24 yard carry. While Mockobee had just 4 carries where he went 30 yards, including back to back big gains to set up the Tracy touchdown. He also fumbled again on a weird play that looked like a Card forward pass scooped up by Mockobee, but Mockobee stood there with the ball and the Badgers stripped him, ending any hope of a comeback.Mockobee ceded carries to not just Tracy, but Downing, who went 6 carries for 30 yards and it appears the coaching staff is either sending a message to Mockobee or has lost some trust in the former walk-on turned freshman sensation last season. Regardless of Mockobee, Tracy has made a case for more touches in another game and looks to be a real game breaker for the Boilers.
The Defense was alright?
After dropping 21 points to Wisconsin in the first half, and then giving Allen a 52 yard run to start the second half, the Purdue defense did its job in the second half. It held Wisconsin to just field goals in the third, and Botros Alisandro took the ball away from Wisconsin after jumping an out route. (Alisandro has been consistently burned this season deep.) Allen is one of the best running backs in the country and if you take away the 52 yard gain, he had just 64 yards on 14 carries. Purdue got no pressure on Mordecai in the first half, but Purdue made solid adjustments to get to Mordecai, and more importantly, shored up its tackling. It's still alarming that mobile quarterbacks seem to puzzle the defense as much as it does. Mordecai went untouched in a similar keeper to what Syracuse burned Purdue with last week. But the defense and the defensive coaches had a good game plan going into the second half and really played physical with a solid Badgers running game in the second half.
Penalties keep killing Purdue.
Purdue once again shot itself in the foot, over and over again, with penalties. Offensively they put themselves in terrible positions with holding calls early, forcing itself to play behind the chains. Face mask penalties on the other end including a late hit on a kickoff return that set Wisconsin up with good field positioning. Purdue is not good enough to beat other teams while beating itself.
While ultimately another loss to Wisconsin is not a positive, the Boilers responded in the second half, driving with a chance to cut the lead to one after looking like it'd be blown out in the first half. The final score remains ugly, but Purdue's fight was apparent, especially on the defensive front.
But something still seems to be missing on the offensive end.
