Finally got a chance to do a decent Purdue rewatch tonight (this whole parenting thing really crowds out the ability to fanatic-level follow NU football). Actually much more encouraged than at initial viewing.
1) I’m confident this offense will work when Thorson is the primary/only QB. The line held up pretty well, the WR should be able to get just enough separation for 18’s arm, Cam Green flashed, and Larkin has more than a little juice. Need to find a little more rhythm, which is almost impossible with a QB rotation. Aim for Michigan, Clayton.
2) Newsome and Kent have a chance to be special. Nate Hall is already special and doesn’t get nearly enough credit; he’s going to make money playing the game.
3) Purdue can trump up 313 total yards all they want, but Moore didn’t have much impact on the game after Hank started rotating Hartage to him in the slot on passing/nickel downs starting mid-second quarter.
In fact, his three of his last four touches actually went for negative yardage and he had negative total yards after about midway through the third quarter.
He’s a dynamic athlete, but they’re going to have to scheme more ways to get him in space if they want to enjoy an outsized impact on the game.
4) Purdue’s game plan really compressed with Blough. Will be fascinating to see whether Brohm rolls the dice with Sindelar (turnover prone) or goes safe with Blough (more dynamic with his legs and better accuracy, but doesn’t have the arm to stretch a defense vertically).
5) Knox’s big gain on a quick hitter was an excellent halftime adjustment from Brohm (pulled backside guard to block the 3-tech and playside guard pinned the Mike, essentially running into an empty box). In true Hank form, it didn’t work again.
6) Purdue is actually lucky Blough fumbled on their TD drive to start the third quarter. He’s stoned a good two yards short on third down (Hall takes out his legs and Fisher cleans him up), but fumbles the ball forward to convert the first down.
7) Enough about Brady Brohm already, damn it.
8) Would like to see McGowan worked into the game plan more. Kid has some pop.
9) Really hope Alex Miller is ok. Looked like a potentially bad ankle/knee after being rolled up.
10) Opposing B1G defenses with much better personnel are going to try to bully our wideouts and put 7 or 8 in the box to stop Larkin. Have to figure out a way to scheme guys open, because I’m not sure we have “that guy” who can simply run himself open.
11) We showed a lot more cover-1/man-high defense than I’ve ever seen under Hank. Wonder whether that’s a sign of things to come or scheme-specific.
12) Thorson had a MASSIVE pull read on second down with about 2:50 left in the fourth (right before the Neal personal foul) where he could have walked in with at least a first down, but guessing the give was predetermined. If he’s healthy, that’s game right there.
13) That Neal personal foul needs to be called every time, by the way. Whistles were blowing about 1.5 seconds before the toss, plus Neal came from the back side and tried playing tough guy. It’s blatant and right in front of the ref. Not gonna fly.
14) Take the road conference W every time. Every time.
1) I’m confident this offense will work when Thorson is the primary/only QB. The line held up pretty well, the WR should be able to get just enough separation for 18’s arm, Cam Green flashed, and Larkin has more than a little juice. Need to find a little more rhythm, which is almost impossible with a QB rotation. Aim for Michigan, Clayton.
2) Newsome and Kent have a chance to be special. Nate Hall is already special and doesn’t get nearly enough credit; he’s going to make money playing the game.
3) Purdue can trump up 313 total yards all they want, but Moore didn’t have much impact on the game after Hank started rotating Hartage to him in the slot on passing/nickel downs starting mid-second quarter.
In fact, his three of his last four touches actually went for negative yardage and he had negative total yards after about midway through the third quarter.
He’s a dynamic athlete, but they’re going to have to scheme more ways to get him in space if they want to enjoy an outsized impact on the game.
4) Purdue’s game plan really compressed with Blough. Will be fascinating to see whether Brohm rolls the dice with Sindelar (turnover prone) or goes safe with Blough (more dynamic with his legs and better accuracy, but doesn’t have the arm to stretch a defense vertically).
5) Knox’s big gain on a quick hitter was an excellent halftime adjustment from Brohm (pulled backside guard to block the 3-tech and playside guard pinned the Mike, essentially running into an empty box). In true Hank form, it didn’t work again.
6) Purdue is actually lucky Blough fumbled on their TD drive to start the third quarter. He’s stoned a good two yards short on third down (Hall takes out his legs and Fisher cleans him up), but fumbles the ball forward to convert the first down.
7) Enough about Brady Brohm already, damn it.
8) Would like to see McGowan worked into the game plan more. Kid has some pop.
9) Really hope Alex Miller is ok. Looked like a potentially bad ankle/knee after being rolled up.
10) Opposing B1G defenses with much better personnel are going to try to bully our wideouts and put 7 or 8 in the box to stop Larkin. Have to figure out a way to scheme guys open, because I’m not sure we have “that guy” who can simply run himself open.
11) We showed a lot more cover-1/man-high defense than I’ve ever seen under Hank. Wonder whether that’s a sign of things to come or scheme-specific.
12) Thorson had a MASSIVE pull read on second down with about 2:50 left in the fourth (right before the Neal personal foul) where he could have walked in with at least a first down, but guessing the give was predetermined. If he’s healthy, that’s game right there.
13) That Neal personal foul needs to be called every time, by the way. Whistles were blowing about 1.5 seconds before the toss, plus Neal came from the back side and tried playing tough guy. It’s blatant and right in front of the ref. Not gonna fly.
14) Take the road conference W every time. Every time.
