Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) holds a football during Purdue football practice at the Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. Purdue hosts Indiana State in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Saturday afternoon in the season opener for both teams as they face each other for the second time in three years.
Purdue easily won the last meeting in 2022 with a score of 56-0 and leads the overall standings with a score of 6-0.
The Boilermakers finished just 4-8 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten last season, but should still have an easy game against Indiana State, which finished 1-10 (1-7 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference).
The Sycamores have only three wins in the last two seasons, and two of them have come against winless Western Illinois.
Indiana State coach Curt Mallory believes his offensive line is stronger than last season, and it will have to be if the Sycamores hope to make it through Saturday’s game.
“I don’t think there’s a group on this team that works harder,” Mallory said. “And that gives you a chance.”
Indiana State has nine wins overall against FBS programs but has never beaten a member of the Big Ten. Purdue is 13-0 overall against the FCS, and the Boilermakers believe they should improve in Ryan Walters’ second year as head coach.
“I just think we’re in a much better place,” Walters said. “I look back to a year ago, with the knowledge I have today, and see what we’re looking at now, and it’s like, yeah, it’s not close.”
The Boilermakers’ biggest concern is whether they can improve quarterback Hudson Card.
Card played decently last year but didn’t take full advantage of opportunities up front. He appeared in 11 games and completed 215 of 365 passes for 2,387 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Before last season, Card had two interceptions on 201 pass attempts.
The Boilermakers imported a receiver duo from Georgia in CJ Smith and De’Nylon Morrissette, which should provide Card with the weapons he needs to make Purdue’s offense more vertical.
“I think Hudson is a whole different caliber. Last year we didn’t have the right players around him, but now he’s more confident and more vocal in the locker room. He’s just turned on this year,” said second-year wide receiver Jaron Tibbs.
The Boilermakers’ greatest strength is in the trenches, with four starters on the offensive line. Purdue also has talented tailback Devin Mockobee, who rushed for 807 yards and six touchdowns on 172 carries last season.
–Field level media
