Purdue hosts Indiana State on Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Ind., in the season opener for both teams facing each other for the second time in three years. Purdue won the last meeting handily, 56-0 in 2022, and leads the all-time series 6-0. The Boilermakers went 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 past two seasons, and two of those came against winless Western Illinois. Indiana State coach Curt Mallory said he believes his offensive line is stronger than it was last season, which will have to be the case if the Sycamores hope to stay in 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 total wins against FBS programs, though it 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 position,” Walters said. “I look back at this time a year ago with the knowledge I have now and see what we have in front of us now, and it’s like, yeah, it’s not close.” The Boilermakers’ biggest concern is whether they can get improvement out of quarterback Hudson Card. Card offered decent play last year but didn’t take advantage of enough opportunities further up the field. He appeared in 11 games and completed 215 of 365 passes for 2,387 yards and 15 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Card had two interceptions on 201 pass attempts before last season. The Boilermakers brought in two receivers from Georgia in CJ Smith and De’Nylon Morrissette, a pair that should give Card 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 sophomore wide receiver Jaron Tibbs. The Boilermakers’ biggest strength is in the trenches, with four starters on the offensive line. Purdue also has talented tailback Devin Mockobee, who ran for 807 yards and six touchdowns on 172 carries last season. – Field Level Media
