Five things to watch: Nebraska at Purdue
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Here are five things to watch as Purdue prepares to host Nebraska on Saturday.
1. How will Danny Etling handle the pressure of his first career start as Purdue’s quarterback?
It’s one thing for a freshman to come into a game his team is losing badly against a team that hasn’t prepared for him. It’s another entirely to know that you’re starting against Nebraska, a Top 25-caliber team that has one of the nation’s most dangerous offenses and likely will light up the scoreboard.
The Cornhuskers also have had plenty of time to review Etling’s performance against Northern Illinois.
True, Etling has had more time to get comfortable with his new role. He has a better arm than Rob Henry and surprised many with his mobility two weeks ago. Nebraska doesn’t have a lot to study, but it will be enough to make his road a little more challenging against a team with a better defense than Northern Illinois brought to Ross-Ade.
And, let’s also look at Etling’s first game more closely. He was an improvement over Henry, but he completed fewer than half his passes and threw two interceptions. While fans are enamored with him for now, he will need to improve in those areas to keep the faithful happy.
2. Can Purdue get running back Akeem Hunt the ball in the open field?
I write this every week, and every week, the Boilermakers fail to get him the ball enough, and every week, he does something sick when he gets the chance. His 44-yard touchdown against Northern Illinois was a perfect example.
The Boilermakers say getting Hunt the ball is a priority, but the numbers don’t support the claim. A player of Hunt’s caliber should average more than 12 carries per game.
Nebraska’s defense, though better than NIU’s, is average at best and can be scored upon. Hunt is Purdue’s most talented offensive player. He has to be given a chance. Hunt averages just 3.2 yards per carry, primarily because he doesn’t have holes to run through. The Huskers rank just 85th out of 123 teams nationally against the run, so Purdue’s line needs to fire out and give Hunt the chance to show how special he is.
Where Hunt has proven to be most dangerous is in the passing game because he gets the ball in space. He leads the team in receptions with 19, yards receiving with 198 and receiving touchdowns with two. He’s good enough that Nebraska will pay a lot of attention to him when he goes out for passes. That opens up others. Etling will need to be able to take advantage.
Here is Hunt’s touchdown against Northern Illinois, courtesy of Big Ten Network:
3. Can Purdue handle a mobile quarterback?
Purdue has faced two quarterbacks who can be classified as mobile, and neither instance went well for the Boilermakers.
In the opener, Cincinnati’s Munchie Legaux ran six times for 55 yards and a touchdown and completed 13 of 20 passes for 145 yards and another score. Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch ran nine times for 35 yards and a touchdown and completed 18 of 25 passes for 207 yards and three scores. The rushing numbers themselves weren’t earth shattering, but the threat of the run in both cases helped their passing numbers.
Nebraska will play freshman Tommy Armstrong in place of the injured Taylor Martinez. Armstrong has rushed 18 times for 79 yards in three games with two starts this season. He is more than capable of gouging Purdue’s struggling run defense.
4. What will Purdue’s mental approach be?
Purdue is coming off a 31-point home loss to a MAC team that wasn’t ranked. It’s hard to find any good in that. The Boilermakers have a freshman quarterback who has replaced a popular senior. The team is coming off a bye, which can work all kinds of ways. There isn’t much to play for other than pride. So what happens the first time Nebraska, as the saying goes, “hits Purdue in the mouth” (make no mistake, Nebraska WILL hit Purdue in the mouth). Will Purdue fold? Will the Boilermakers battle? The jury is still out on the mental toughness of this team. There were positive steps taken against Notre Dame that vanished against Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Again, you can’t always look at the scoreboard with this team because the talent isn’t there and this week’s opponent is very good. But how will Purdue handle adversity?
5. Will Purdue’s fans be outnumbered?
I’m not joking. This is a legitimate concern. As a Nebraska native, I can can tell you the Huskers have spent 50 years turning road games into home games. Purdue’s ticket prices are relatively low, and Nebraska fans travel no matter how bad the other team is. Most Huskers fans have never been to West Lafayette, so many will come just to see a new venue. Purdue fans will need to be loud and proud, or they will be overwhelmed.
