On a normal week, we’d give you an opponent preview, but playing an FCS school isn’t normal. I’ll save you some reading time and skip right to the “overall” section of what would be the normal preview.
Overall
Purdue is a Big 10 team; Indiana State is an FCS Missouri Valley team that is predicted to finish in the back half of its conference. I’m not sure there’s a player on the Indiana State roster who would make Purdue’s two-deep, except quarterback Elijah Owens, who might provide an experienced option behind
Ryan Browne…maybe
I’m not sure how much you’re going to learn about the Boilermakers from a win in this one because of the talent gap. However, if this game is close, I’ll be spending most of Saturday writing this program’s obituary.
What I’ll be Watching For
Offense
Run Game Dominance
Barry Odom and the Boilermakers opened the 2025 season with a 31-0 beatdown of Ball State. While the score line looks fine, Purdue ran the ball 30 times for 93 yards against the Cardinals. In retrospect, that was a harbinger of doom for the run game. Devin Mockobee only averaged 4.2 yards a carry against a MAC defense; it wasn’t that Purdue didn’t want to run the ball; it’s that they weren’t able to run the ball consistently, and that was with their top choice at running back. They finished 103rd in the nation in rushing, and Ryan Browne couldn’t do enough with his arm to win a Big 10 game without the support of a consistent rushing attack.
Coach Odom made a major investment in the run game in the offseason, bringing in running backs Fame Ijeboi from Minnesota, Jerrick Gibson from Texas, and Travis Terrell Jr. from Jackson State. I expect to see all three against Indiana State, and they need to dominate. If Purdue doesn’t put up at least 250 rushing yards, it means the offensive line isn’t ready, because there’s plenty of talent in the running back room. I’m hoping for a 300+ yard performance.
If Purdue runs the ball well against the Sycamores, it doesn’t mean they’ll be able to run the ball against Wake next week, but if they struggle to run the ball, I’m pretty sure it means they won’t be able to run the ball against the Demon Deacons or any other FBS team.
Defense
Pass Rush / Pass Coverage
Indiana State quarterback Elijah Owens played well in the opener, throwing for 288 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in their 2-point loss despite taking 4 sacks. Last season, Southern Illinois put up 17 points on Purdue’s defense, with quarterback DJ Williams throwing for 202 yards and a touchdown and rushing for a touchdown. Much like Purdue’s inability to run the ball against Ball State, Purdue’s inability to dominate Southern Illinois on defense was, in retrospect, a car-lot-sized red flag. The Boilermakers had 3 sacks in the game, one from Charles Corra and two from CJ Nunnally IV.
I expect Purdue’s defensive front to be more active, and I expect its secondary to make more plays in coverage. I’m looking for Purdue to get after Elijah Owens early and often without sending many blitzes. These defensive ends need to be able to beat Indiana State’s tackles and get to the quarterback on any given play, and the secondary needs to play tight enough coverage to allow them the time to finish the deal and get Owens on the ground.
Trey Smith and CJ Madden combined for 1.5 sacks in 2025. CJ Nunnally was decent, but overall, the defensive end group was one of the most disappointing on the roster. Smith and Madden are back, and they’re joined by Army/Georgia transfer Elo Modozie and junior college transfer Jeremy Lewis. Out of those four players, someone has to step up and be an impact pass rusher. I’m not expecting a 2023 Nic Scourton 10-sack, 15-tackle-for-a-loss season from anyone, but the Boilermakers aren’t going to get where they want to go if 5 sacks lead the team, like in 2025. Modozie should help with that, but I’m most interested in CJ Madden. He looks like a football player, but he’s yet to prove he can actually play football. He has all the physical talent required to be an impact player; it would be exceptionally helpful if he turned that talent into production in 2026.
One way to help the pass rush is to give the defensive ends enough time to get to the quarterback, which requires better secondary coverage, specifically from the corners. Don Saunders looks like an NFL corner, and Purdue needs the Utah transfer to play like one this season. I want to see him use his 6’3” frame to play more press and make things tougher on the quarterback. Hudari Hines is back after having an OK 2o25 in his first season as a starter. Experience isn’t an excuse this season; he needs to be better in 2026, or Purdue needs to find someone else to play in his stead. Hines has some talent, but he needs to prove he’s more than just a replacement-level corner.
Overall
I’m looking for 250+ rushing yards on offense and 5+ sacks on defense and at least 1 interception. That should be well within Purdue’s ability. They invested heavily in the run game and secondary this offseason, and I’m looking for early returns against Indiana State.
