Purdue football at Maryland: 1st and 10
WEST LAFAYETTE – As we start the week, 10 storylines to track as Purdue travels to face Maryland on Saturday at Capital One Field:
The Boilermakers opened as a three-point underdog.
▶ Can Purdue make it back-to-back Big Ten road wins in consecutive weeks? The last time was in 2012 at Iowa and Illinois. The Boilermakers won two straight road conference road games in 2018 but did it over a three-week stretch since it had an open date.
▶ How does the defense slow down quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and his band of talented receivers? This is a different offense than the one Minnesota offered up. Tagovailoa is completing 75.5% of his passes with eight touchdowns. Six different receivers have 12 or more receptions.
▶ Purdue is averaging 174 rushing yards and 182.5 passing yards during the last two games. Is the balance here to stay?
▶ The Boilermakers demonstrated signs of applying more pressure in the backfield last week with a pair of sacks and seven tackles for loss. They need to deliver more plays to disrupt Tagovailoa’s rhythm.
▶ Although the Terrapins will likely follow a similar plan to Minnesota’s defense, Aidan O’Connell and the offense should find more opportunities to move the ball this week. Maryland is allowing more than 250 passing yards and given up nine touchdowns. SMU passed for 369 yards and three TDs in a 34-27 loss.
▶ Name to watch: Roman Hemby. The freshman running back is averaging 6.5 yards per carry behind a talented offensive line.
▶ If King Doerue returns, where does the senior running back fit into the rotation with the recent success of Dylan Downing and Devin Mockobee? Downing rushed for 113 yards against Florida Atlantic and Mockobee gains 112 at Minnesota, including a 68-yard run.
▶ Can Purdue’s offensive line continue to protect and generate yards in the rushing game? They’ve been overlooked this season.
▶ The Boilermakers are coming off a three-interception game, including two by Cam Allen. Maryland is tied for last among Big Ten teams in turnover margin (-3). The Terrapins had seven in their first four games.
▶ Maryland is second behind Ohio State in producing plays of 20 yards or more. The Terrapins have 30, including 21 passing plays. They lead the Big Ten with 64 passing plays of 10 yards or more. Purdue has allowed 20 plays of 20 yards or more, including 19 through the air. Minnesota’s longest rushing play Saturday was 9 yards.
Bonus item
▶ Any quarterback drama from Purdue? O'Connell should be good to go.
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
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football at Maryland: 1st and 10
