Purdue football at Syracuse: 1st and 10
WEST LAFAYETTE – As we start the week, 10 storylines to track about Purdue and Saturday’s matchup at Syracuse inside the JMA Wireless Dome:
▶ How much will receiver Broc Thompson play against the Orange and this season? The MVP of last year’s bowl game played only a handful of snaps against Indiana State after being labeled a game-time decision. He had off-season surgery on both knees and is dealing with other issues. While Charlie Jones is making catches left and right, the Boilermakers need more receivers to emerge.
▶ Speaking of Jones, will the Iowa transfer lead the nation in receptions this season? His 21 catches and 10.5 average rank No. 1 through two games. You know Aidan O’Connell isn’t going to stop throwing to Jones. But at some point, opponents are going to double-cover Jones.
▶ How will the Boilermakers’ defense keep Sean Tucker in check? The running back torched Louisville for 184 total yards and two touchdowns in the opener. He rushed for 112 yards in Saturday’s win at UConn. Last year, Tucker produced nine 100-yard rushing games, including 207 against Boston College. Purdue can’t let Tucker run wild.
▶ Without nickel Jalen Graham, can the defense minimize the big plays from Syracuse? The absence of Graham, who suffered a leg injury against Penn State but finished the game, could loom large the next three games. The Boilermakers will have to get contributions from other players and step up their game without Graham. The Orange produced several big plays in the first two games, led by quarterback Garrett Shrader, who joined the program prior to the 2021 season after transferring from Mississippi State.
▶ Second meeting between the programs. Who remembers the first one in 2004 won by the Boilermakers 51-0 on Sunday afternoon in West Lafayette? The game was moved to Sunday by television. Kyle Orton, who attended the win over Indiana State, tossed four touchdowns.
▶ Syracuse coach Dino Babers spent three years at Purdue under Jim Colletto overseeing receivers. He gave his daughter, Tasha, the nickname "Buckethead" since she was born on the day of the Old Oaken Bucket game in 1992. As the head coach at Bowling Green in 2015, Babers beat the Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium.
▶ Louisville and UConn completed a combined 33 of 42 passes (78.6%) against Syracuse in the first two games. O’Connell likely reaches the 42 attempts on his own Saturday. The Orange have two interceptions and allowed just one touchdown through the air.
▶ Purdue has produced a pick-six in its first two games. How about three in a row? Who’s the candidate?
▶ Will the defensive line generate more pass rush against Syracuse, or will we see more blitzes called by Ron English?
▶ Syracuse hasn’t committed a turnover in its first two games. Does that change Saturday?
Bonus: Syracuse had 18 penalties in the opener against Louisville but reduced the number to three against UConn. Purdue had nine in the loss to Penn State and only three against ISU.
Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports for the Journal & Courier and USA Today Network. Email mcarmin@gannett.com and follow on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football at Syracuse: 1st and 10
