Countdown to Iowa-Purdue football kickoff: Rain, wind in forecast; treats for offensive linemen
WEST LAFAYETTE – Welcome to Countdown to Kickoff prior to Saturday’s matchup between Iowa and Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium:
What you need to know – and it’s not all game related.
The latest
As of Thursday, the injury report:
Out: Running back King Doerue.
Probable: Running back Dylan Downing; cornerbacks Jamari Brown and Cory Trice; defensive end Kydran Jenkins.
“We’ve had a handful of guys out longer but most of those handful were able to do something (Thursday) and hopefully not have any setbacks where they can play in the game,” coach Jeff Brohm said.
Safeties Sanoussi Kane, Bryce Hampton and Cam Allen did work out at cornerback this week.
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“We’re prepared for all options and a lot of guys worked different spots and we have different avenues to go with every scenario,” Brohm said. “Sometimes, it’s not the best scenario that we can have but we have worked quite a few and I think we’re prepared for quite a few people to play or not play.”
Weather watchers
For the first time this season, the Boilermakers may have to deal with inclement conditions. Rain and heavy winds are in the forecast for Saturday morning through kickoff. Gusts could reach 40-50 miles per hour or greater during the mid-morning hours but slightly decrease in the afternoon.
"It's not ideal but that part of the business, especially in November," Brohm said. "For the three days, we've had numerous wet ball drills with our skill players and position guys. You learn how to handle it, you learn how to throw it and catch it, use your body, coddle it in and use every part of your mechanism that you can to catch the ball. On defense, it's about trying to get it out and keeping your feet and all of those things."
The potentially difficult conditions could impact how Brohm handles the coin toss.
“We'll definitely gauge how the weather is then and what it looks like for the second half. Is it going to clear up, is it going to get worse, what’s the wind going to be?” Brohm said. “Yes, that will factor into it.”
Sweet time
Aidan O’Connell is always trying to take care of his offensive linemen.
On Mondays, O’Connell brings the group a different dessert treat, which is made by his wife, Jael.
“I can’t take credit. Shoutout to my wife,” O’Connell said. “Every week, we’ve had a little different dessert during our Monday meetings. I think it’s going great, but I guess they would have the more important opinion.”
Tackle Eric Miller certainly isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts.
“As the baker in the group, I’ve got to have a good opinion on this,” Miller said. “It’s all been really good. There was an apple crumble a couple of weeks ago that was very good.”
O’Connell normally lets the linemen enjoy the treats but this past week, the sixth-year quarterback couldn’t resist a little taste testing.
“She made a brownie, cookie kind of mix thing that was pretty stellar,” he said. “Sometimes, I just let them have it all but (Monday) I stole some.”
But O’Connell won’t attempt to bake any treats, leaving the heavy lifting in the kitchen to his wife.
“I don’t think it’s in the cards,” he said. “I’d need an offseason to learn and take different classes and all that stuff before I go poison one of my teammates.”
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Last time
Brohm wasn’t on the sidelines the last time the Hawkeyes visited Ross-Ade Stadium in 2020.
The reason? Brohm tested positive for COVID-19.
“That's never any fun,” said Brohm, who watched the game from his house. “I try not to relive those moments. I was good enough to do what I needed to do, but there were COVID rules you had to abide by, and I do abide by rules I guess.”
His younger brother, Brian, the program's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach was the acting head coach as the Boilermakers knocked off Iowa 24-20 on Oct. 24, which was the first game of the abbreviated season.
“It feels like a long time ago,” Brian said.
Stretch run
You’ll never get a big picture comment from Jeff Brohm, who won’t stray from the one-game-at-a-time mantra. But his players fully understand what’s at stake in November.
Winning the Big Ten West was the goal at the start of the season and the Boilermakers remain in a position to achieve it.
“We understand that a lot rides on these games, especially when you get late in the year,” O’Connell said. “We know what’s ahead of us but it’s a one-game season. It means nothing if you don’t beat your next opponent.”
As far as Brohm, it's pretty simple.
"I think that we can't concern ourselves with anything at the end of the tunnel. That's when you get caught looking down the road and don't prepare as hard as you can," Brohm said. "There is a reason we use the one-game mantra. Fans and everyone else can talk about all the other stuff.
"Only thing on our mind is trying to win this game against Iowa."
Self-scout
The problems in the secondary are the No. 1 issue facing the defense as the Boilermakers hit November with a chance to win the Big Ten West.
Even though Iowa ranks 12th in the Big Ten against conference teams in passing offense and 120th nationally, co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Ron English expects the Hawkeyes to test his defensive backs as much as possible.
“I’m not direct running at us. I’m running the quarterback and moving everybody and I’m making the gaps change,” English said. “That’s what I’m doing. And I’m throwing the ball until we can prove we can be consistent and keep it inside and in front. I expect them to throw the ball Saturday.”
Honorary captains
Former Boilermakers Matt Light and Dorien Bryant will serve as honorary captains for Saturday’s game.
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Sports Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
Iowa (4-4, 2-3) at Purdue (5-3, 3-2)
Saturday
Time: Noon
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: WAZY (96.5)
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: What you need to know about Iowa at Purdue football: Big Ten Conference scores highlights
