FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Has anyone else noticed the Boilermakers' biggest problem with ball games is half time? 

            Football's half time is supposed to be a brief respite between two quarters of a game so teams can synchronize, rehydrate, discuss what went right and how adjust those things that went wrong.  Coaches have become sports legends because of what they did with half time.  Notre Dame's Knute Rockne and his "win one for the Gipper" speech is probably the best remembered, half time moment.  And even basketball coach Bobby Knight is recalled, maybe not so fondly, for his half time rants and locker room damage.  These coaching moments and antics helped motivate respective squads.  In these examples and many more, winning results were achieved. 

            If football's half time is a homily-like equivalent of a Sunday morning mass, then where is mom to nudge awake nodding Boilermaker heads to attention and devotion?  Third quarter calamity is becoming a ritual for Purdue.  Last week Notre Dame lambasted the Boilermakers for 21 points and 210 yards.  This wasn't the first time this has happened in 2008 either.  Oregon scored 14 points and held Purdue scoreless in the third quarter a few weeks ago.  The Boilermaker third quarter performance against Central Michigan and Northern Colorado wasn't much better.  In those games, Purdue only outscored their opponents 7-0.  While Purdue scored first in every game this year, the third quarter is killing them.  It's challenging fans' desire to return to television sets after half time bathroom and refrigerator sojourns. 

            Erase the Boilers third quarter play against Notre Dame and the Irish's 11:00 minute possession, and you have a game where Purdue was capable of winning.  Painter's passing game improved this week as the offensive strategy changed to more pass plays than run.  Painter completed 29 passes in 55 attempts for 359 yards and two touchdowns.  But Painter's failure to complete passes in the infamous "red zone" during the first and fourth quarters denied Purdue a legitimate shot to win the game.  Add a returned interception for a Notre Dame score and Painter's performance is less than what is expected for an experienced college quarterback. 

            Certainly the passing game blame can be shared with the receiving corps.  However, Desmond Tardy had a break out day collecting 175 yards on 10 catches.  Kory Sheets was greeted by an Irish defense eager to welcome him.  Sheets was  limited to 87 yards on 13 carriers.  Still, that's a good 6.7 yards a carry and with a rushing touchdown, Sheets ties Purdue's all time rushing touchdown record held by Mike Alstott.  A shoulder injury in the fourth quarter is not expected to limit a much needed Kory Sheets this Saturday. 

            What else can be said about Saturday's game against Notre Dame?  Tiller expected the Irish to come back from half time with a similar first half game plan.  Few changes were made in the locker room.  But something must've been mixed into the Irish Gatorade.  Notre Dame discovered a running game in the second half in the form of a running back named Armando Allen. Allen ran for a career high 134 yards, half of which was done but where else?  In the third quarter!  Purdue's defense is admittedly weak in the linebacker department.  Because of this weakness, Purdue is employing a "nickel back" defense which features four down lineman, two linebackers, and five defensive backs.  While this defensive stance is best used against a passing team like Notre Dame was, a good ball runner like Armando Allen can wreck havoc which is what happened.  It wasn't just a defense-offense mismatch either.  The Boilermakers failed to pressure Irish quarterback Jimmy Claussen who enjoyed his own good day of passing.  Claussen avoided any hint of a sack and threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. 

            This Saturday, Purdue finds itself back home in the confines of Ross Ade to take on the undefeated and sixth ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.  It's unfortunate the winner of this match up won't be determined in a rocking chair "rock off" between two octogenarian head coaches named "Joe".  Tiller probably has the advantage there.   Many fans will wonder if Purdue can cover the spread.  Perhaps the bigger question is:  does Purdue have a chance of winning?

            Last year at this time, the Purdue Boilermakers were 5-0 and many people wondered if this team was "for real."   The Boilers first five victories in 2007 were against lower tiered teams and the team hadn't really been tested.  Fans certainly know how Purdue finished the season:  8-5.  Can the same logic be applied to Penn State this year?  The same question echoes about Penn State:  are they for real?   It's difficult to make the call right now.  Some would argue Penn State was tested by beating #22-ranked Illinois last week.  But let's face it,  Illinois' early season schedule wasn't exactly packed with competitive teams either.  Penn State won last week courtesy of a lot of Illinois errors.  Like last year's Boilermakers' squad, Penn State posts some impressive statistics.  Not to slight Penn State's accomplishments so far but Purdue has played a tougher 2008 schedule.  Purdue is up to the challenge. 

            Penn State will line up offensively with one of the best squads they've had in awhile.  Quarterback Darryl Clark posts the best passing efficiency in the Big Ten.  Clark throws to three primary receivers, Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood who form one of the most reliable receiving trios in college football and are affectionately known as "the smurfs".   Rushing for Penn State is sophomore Evan Royster who is a big playmaker when gaps are opened by a veteran and experienced offensive line.  Penn State's offensive line has only allowed two quarterback sacks this year. 

            Defensively, Penn State's tradition of "Linebacker-U" continues.  Tyrell Sales has led Penn State with total tackles in two games.  Opponents have moved the ball against the Nittany Lions.  Last week, Illinois gained 372 yards in 66 plays (42 rushing/24 passing). 

            Tiller has made it clear in press conferences Purdue's strength lays in its passing game.  Fans can expect the Boilers to air it out again this week.  Defensively, Purdue faces an opponent with a lot of weapons.  The best way to defend against the Nittany Lions is to keep the offense off the field by controlling the ball and the clock.  Illinois hung in the game until the Penn State's "big play" gagged any hope of an Illini comeback.  Derrick Williams 94-yard kickoff return was the final nail in the coffin and made him this week's Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week. 

            There's a lot of excuses why Purdue shouldn't win, the least being they haven't beaten a ranked team since 2003.  There's the old cliché that "on any given Saturday in the Big Ten..."  It's been awhile since Purdue earned the moniker "the Spoilermakers."  "Boiler Up" Purdue faithful and hope this week brings a little of the luster back to the 2008 season.