Indiana State @ Purdue preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2006 ) Indiana State 35, Purdue 60

Purdue and Indiana State feature first-year head coaches seeking their respective initial wins heading into Saturday's tilt. The Boilermakers' Darrell Hazell saw his team thrashed by Cincinnati 42-7 in the season opener while the Sycamores' Mike Sanford watched his club absorb a 73-35 throttling by Indiana. Purdue ran for just 65 yards and turned the ball over four times against the Bearcats en route to its worst season opener in 17 years.

Sanford returns to Purdue, where he was an assistant coach from 1987-89. The Sycamores allowed more points than any FBS team in the season opener, including two touchdowns on turnovers.

TV: Noon ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Purdue -17

ABOUT INDIANA STATE (0-1, 0-0 Missouri Valley Conference): Though the score was ugly, there were some bright spots for the Sycamores in their opening setback to Indiana. Junior quarterback Mike Perish threw for two touchdowns and senior Shakir Bell rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries. Indiana State defense crumbled by permitting 632 yards of total offense.

ABOUT PURDUE (0-1, 0-0 Big Ten): Senior quarterback Rob Henry struggled in his debut, completing 18-of-35 passes for 161 yards and two interceptions. Henry may have more success against the Sycamores, who allowed six passing touchdowns in their opener, The only real positive Purdue can take from the first contest is its defense forced three turnovers.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Purdue is 3-0 all-time against Indiana State and 6-0 against the MVC. Most recently, the Boilermakers defeated the Sycamores 60-35 on Sept. 2, 2006.

2. Indiana State defensive back Carlos Aviles was ejected in the third quarter of their season opener after a helmet-to-helmet hit with Shane Wynn on a punt return.

3. The last time Purdue was beaten by more than 35 points in a season opener was 1996, when Michigan State defeated the Boilermakers 52-14.

PREDICTION: Purdue 28, Indiana State 17