Purdue @ Ohio State preview
Ohio Stadium
Last Meeting ( Oct 17, 2009 ) Ohio State 18, Purdue 26
Purdue is one upset away from emerging as a serious threat to reach the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2001. The only thing standing in the way is this week's game against No. 10-ranked Ohio State in Columbus, a place the Boilermakers haven't won since 1988.
Purdue (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten) is among three teams who are unbeaten in the Big Ten. Ohio State (6-1, 2-1) lost its first game on the road last week against Wisconsin and tumbled from No. 1 in the coaches poll. Adding to the equation is homecoming for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are 64-19-5 in homecoming games, including 7-2 under coach Jim Tressel.
The Boilermakers have been one of the league's surprise teams, especially since starting quarterback Robert Marve, running back Ralph Bolden and receiver Keith Smith have been knocked out for the rest of the season because of knee injuries and ACL surgery. Justin Siller, the No. 2 receiver, will miss additional time rehabbing a sprained foot.
The quarterback void has been filled by speedy redshirt freshman Rob Henry, who has rushed for 356 yards and four touchdowns and thrown for 443 yards and three touchdowns.
The Purdue defense will need to contain Ohio State quarterback Terrell Pryor, who has helped the Buckeyes become the NCAA's No. 9 scoring offensive unit.
Purdue senior Ryan Kerrigan and junior Logan Link will each play a crucial role; Kerrigan, a defensive end, has 14 tackles for loss this year and 45 for his career (seventh all-time at the school), while Link had seven tackles and one interception last week. Kerrigan, who leads the Big Ten in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles, has been named a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy.
Stopping Pryor is easier said than done. He's the heart of an offense that averages 39.6 points per game. Pryor has rushed for 410 yards and three touchdowns and thrown for 1,505 yards and 15 touchdowns. He needs 90 passing yards to become the sixth active FBS quarterback to have at least 1,000 career rushing yards and 5,000 passing yards.
Ohio State's defense, dubbed the “Silver Bullet,” had two players named to the Lott list too. Seniors Cameron Heyward and Ross Homan were added to the short list for players who embody the characteristics of NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott – integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
Heyward has 20 tackles and leads the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. But Homan, who leads the team with 41 tackles, is expected to miss this week's game with a foot injury.
Ohio State leads the series 37-13-2, but Purdue won a year ago in coach Danny Hope's debut against the Buckeyes. Ohio State had five turnovers in that game, which led to the end of its 16-game conference winning streak.