There is no denying that the product on the field is much improved in comparison to the 2024 season. There have been frustrating losses, but the grit the Boilers showed at the Big House, against a top 25 Michigan Football Team, cannot be understated.
Coach Barry Odom is starting from scratch, trying his best to push life into a dormant program that was just in the Big Ten Championship Game a few years ago.
There have been obvious improvements, and the most obvious is how well coached this Purdue team
is. They just lack the horses needed to win these tight games right now.
The identity of the team is starting to show up, hard, tough and physical.
For all four quarters, Purdue played toe to toe with Michigan.
Without their captain, Devin Mockobee, the Purdue Offense turned heavily to Malachi Thomas and Antonio Harris, who combined for over 100 yards, with a main focus for Purdue to run the ball this week.
At the half Purdue trailed just 14 to 7, and then started rhe 3rd quarter by forcing Michigan to punt.
The third quarter was won by the Boilers, with a 50 yard field goal from Spencer Porath.
But after trading touchdowns in the middle of the 4th quarter, it was Michigan who had a long sustained drive, icing Purdue, and keeping the Boilermaker Offense on the sidelines, with a perfect 4 minute drill. Moving the clock, getting first downs and eventually running the clock out.
It is a step in the right direction for Purdue, who now turns their attention to Ohio State.
