Purdue vs. Southern Illinois Game Information

The Purdue Boilermakers looked like they were going to have a turnaround after game one, then they looked like it was back to their usual selves in game two, and after losing their third game to Notre Dame, there’s some encouragement again. Purdue played the Fighting Irish closer than anybody would have expected, despite not really being in the game in the second half. Perhaps the defense is getting better, and Darrell Hazell can finally get his kids to successfully play in his Jim Tressel-style. This weekend’s game against Southern Illinois is a good test, because while it is an FCS school, it is in no way an easy win for the Boilermakers.

Quite the contrary, this game could go either way, even turning into a blowout in favor of the Salukis. This is an FCS powerhouse, and Purdue is a bad FBS team. If the Boilermakers are to show any improvement this year, this is a good measuring stick. Hazell desperately needs this win to show progress is being made, or apathy surrounding the program will only get worse.