GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: It’s been a simple equation for Purdue this season. When it doesn’t turn the ball over, it wins. When it makes mistakes, it loses. Illinois has generated 12 turnovers through five games, including 10 interceptions, and its offense relies on the short field to generate points. It’s the toughest secondary Blough has faced this season, but he’s avoided the interception bug so far in 2018 and there will be opportunities for big plays since the Illini take chances on defense in pursuit of those turnovers.
DRAFT SLANT
–RB D.J. Knox has 390 rushing yards through five games. With seven regular-season games plus a potential bowl appearance, he’s in line for a 1,000-yard season if he stays healthy. Moreover, he needs just 640 yards to break the 2,000-yard mark for his Purdue career.
ROSTER REPORT:
–TE Cole Herdman missed part of the Nebraska game because of stingers. The coaching staff is hopeful that he will play this weekend, but his workload may be limited.
–DT Branson Deen was among the players cited by coach Jeff Brohm as having helped himself in practice during the bye week. He’s battled injuries so far but is in position to get some playing time in the coming weeks.
–CB Corey Trice was expected to redshirt — and still might — but he made the travelling squad for the Nebraska game. It sounds like the true freshman will see the field at some point this year, but if he’s not in a position to get a lot of snaps, he probably won’t play enough to prevent him from taking that redshirt season.
==========