Purdue and Oregon State will both try to bounce back from last weekend’s lopsided home losses against in-state opponents when they meet Saturday in a nonconference clash in Corvallis, Ore.
The Beavers (2-1) fell 49-14 to No. 9 Oregon and the Boilermakers (1-1) were pounded 66-7 by then-No. 18 Notre Dame.
The 59-point loss was the worst in Purdue’s history.
“We had a very candid conversation about it,” Boilermakers coach Ryan Walters said of meeting with his players. “The fact, right now, is that we are a 1-1 football team that has lost to a ranked, nonconference opponent. But the fact, also, is that … we have to own the worst loss in program history. That falls on my shoulders.”
Purdue mustered only six first downs and 162 yards of total offense compared to Notre Dame’s 27 and 578. The Boilermakers were outgained 362-38 on the ground.
Reggie Love III had 10 carries for 61 yards and Hudson Card completed 11 of 24 passes for 124 yards with one TD and two interceptions against the Fighting Irish.
A silver lining for Oregon State in its loss to the rival Ducks was quarterback Gevani McCoy rushing for a season-best 52 yards on six carries and completing a season-high 22 passes for 172 yards with no touchdowns or picks.
Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel threw only four incompletions (20 of 24) and had 291 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
“We were either giving them too much respect or playing too soft in coverage,” Oregon State coach Trent Bray said. “Basic fundamental techniques weren’t there when they have been all year. We’ve got to go out there (and) execute, especially in those big moments.”
Oregon State is one of the most inexperienced teams in the nation, with 18 players making their first start this season.
Oregon State and Purdue have met just twice previously, with both matchups taking place in West Lafayette, Ind. The Beavers won 22-14 in 1967 but lost 30-21 to the Boilermakers in 2021.
