Ball State @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2006 ) Ball State 28, Purdue 38

Purdue quarterback Robert Marve will try to break a disturbing trend when the Boilermakers host in-state rival Ball State at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette on Saturday.

In each of Purdue's two games, the junior threw a first-quarter interception that helped put his team in a 7-0 hole. The Boilermakers lost their opener 23-12 to Notre Dame, then rebounded to beat Western Illinois 31-21.

Purdue coach Danny Hope said Marve did a better job of going through his progressions and getting rid of the ball quickly last week.

The Miami transfer won't have his top weapon against the 1-1 Cardinals. Fifth-year senior Keith Smith, who had 18 catches in two games, tore his ACL and MCL against Western Illinois and is out for the season. Smith now has to decide whether he'll rehab and prepare for the NFL or apply for a sixth-year of eligibility. He redshirted in 2007.

The loss of Smith, who had 1,100 receiving yards last season, is a huge blow to the Boilermakers' Big 10 chances.

But it should not cost them Saturday. Purdue is 7-0 alltime against Ball State, the last meeting coming in 2006.

The Cardinals are coming off a shocking 27-23 home loss to Liberty, following their season-opening 27-10 win over Southeast Missouri State.

While Purdue is looking for consistency from Marve, Ball State coach Stan Parrish already has benched his starter. He replaced Kelly Page with true freshman Keith Wenning in last week's loss, and Wenning responded, hitting 13-of-18 throws for 129 yards and a touchdown. Ball State also got an interception return for a score from Charlie Todd, but it wasn't enough.

Ball State is especially vulnerable against the run. Purdue should make the Cardinals pay after churning out 227 yards last week, led by Dan Dierking's 102-yard, two-touchdown effort.

Purdue will face another MAC opponent, Toledo, next week before starting Big 10 play.