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Purdue Football: 3 bold predictions vs. Vanderbilt in Week 2

By Jake Mitchell

WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers makes a catch in the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 17, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 17: Rondale Moore #4 of the Purdue Boilermakers makes a catch in the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 17, 2018 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Ke’Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs for a 69 yard touchdown during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Ke’Shawn Vaughn #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores runs for a 69 yard touchdown during the second quarter against the Baylor Bears during the Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium on December 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Ke’Shawn Vaughn will find his mojo

Much like in Purdue’s Week 1 loss, the Commodores key offensive player was good, but not great or consistent on Saturday. Vaughn had 74 yards on 15 carries in Week 1. It was a modest performance, but he’ll have to be far more productive for the Commodores to win.

Against Nevada, Purdue gave up 4.4 yards per carry against a pass-heavy Wolf Pack offense last week. Vaughn, meanwhile, averaged a tremendous 7.9 yards per carry on the 2018 season. His single game this year was against one of country’s best defenses, but his season-long stats from a year ago are far more representative of his ability as a back.

Considering quarterback Riley Neal didn’t break the century mark throwing the ball last week, the weight rests on Vaughn even more than expected. The grad transfer quarterback should improve this week, but the foundation of this offense should be Vaughn and the running game.

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