Five numbers that helped Purdue start 2-0 after defeating Southern Illinois
After trailing 14-7, the Boilermakers reeled off 27 consecutive points to take command
For those outside the world of Purdue football, Saturday’s win may not look significant.
But it was.
Although last year’s debacle of a season has very little to do with what’s going on in Barry Odom’s initial campaign, the 34-17 victory over Salukis doubled the win total from 2024.
The Boilermakers had one victory last season. They now have two, with USC coming to Ross-Ade Stadium next week.
Purdue improved to 15-0 against FCS programs, snapped a seven-game losing streak in night games, started a season 2-0 for the first time since 2021, and Odom became the first Boilermaker coach to begin his tenure 2-0 since Cleo O’Donnell defeated Wabash and DePauw in 1916.
And, Purdue’s punter wasn’t needed.
Five numbers that helped define Saturday’s win.
Minus 1
Smiley Bradford is a rarity on this year’s roster.
He’s not among the 54 transfers. He’s not a newcomer. And the sophomore defensive back from St. Louis made the biggest play of the game.
Facing fourth-and-2 from the Purdue 44-yard line, SIU quarterback DJ Williams took a snap out of the shotgun formation and sprinted to the right edge. But Bradford didn’t budge and stayed true to his assignment, throwing Williams for a 1-yard loss.
It wasn’t technically a turnover, but Purdue took advantage and scored on the ensuing possession to build a 10-point lead late in the first half.
Bradford finished with three tackles and added a pass breakup.
4
SIU finished with five penalties, but the first four flags contributed to Purdue scoring points.
Two defensive pass interference penalties and two personal fouls paved the way for the Boilermakers to put up 24 points in the first half. Of SIU’s 66 yards in penalties, 51 came on those four flags.
Three of those penalties were on third down, giving the offense new life, and the Boilermakers capitalized.
126
This was a grind-it-out game for running back Devin Mockobee.
The former walk-on had a career-high 33 carries and posted his ninth 100-yard rushing game. He finished with 126 yards - moving into fifth place on the school’s career rushing list (2,561) - and added two catches for 21 yards to lead the offense.
Mockobee scored two touchdowns, both out of the “hippo” personnel, the coaching staff’s version of the Wildcat formation.
The offensive line took over in the second half, wearing down the Salukis. This is what an FBS program should accomplish against an FCS team.
The Boilermakers gained more than 200 yards on the ground, the fourth straight time they’ve surpassed that mark against an FCS opponent. Purdue finished with 215 rushing yards.
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133
SIU quarterback DJ Williams and the offense started fast.
Two drives. Two touchdowns. The Salukis had 150 yards, and it’s still the first quarter.
But after the initial outburst, the defense reacted and adjusted to keep Williams and company under wraps. SIU managed 133 yards, including 32 during garbage time, and scored three points during the final six drives.
Williams is a dynamic player and accounted for 221 of SIU’s 283 yards. His 63-yard pass to Fabian McCray on the first play of the team’s second drive led to the Salukis building a 14-7 lead.
But the offense responded, and the defense continued to step up.
64.3%
Third down helped tell the story of the offense.
Purdue was 9 of 14 to post the program’s highest third-down conversion rate since the 2021 season against UConn (66.7%).
The Boilermakers did most of their damage on the ground, totaling 67 yards on 11 carries. Mockobee carried five times on third down, with four attempts resulting in a first down or a touchdown.
Quarterback Ryan Browne collected 37 of his 50 rushing yards on third down, including a 12-yard scramble.
The competition in the first two games wasn't as strong as the Boilermakers will see the rest of the way, but the early evidence is they'll be more competitive this season. What it means in terms of wins is unclear right now.
I’m an IU fan and married to a Purdue grad. I want Purdue to come back this year and be competitive. The schedule is brutal but I’ll count on your work to help me keep up with the Boilers’ development. Stay healthy and there are winnable games this season. The Bucket game could be fun.