Purdue Football: 3 takeaways from blowout loss vs. Illinois

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CHAMPAIGN, IL – OCTOBER 12: Dominic Stampley #6 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs the ball during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. These teams are bad in the trenches

It’s cliche, but when you are below average along the offensive and defensive lines, it’s hard to maintain consistency. Neither the Illini nor the Boilermakers are Big Ten-caliber up front. Purdue can’t set the edge or keep it along their offensive and defensive lines.

The few decent runs King Derue got was because Illinois took some bad angles to the ball-carrier. Illinois is definitely ahead of the Boilers in the trenches, but it’s only year one for Jeff Brohm and his staff. The Purdue offensive line play — even in this monsoon — was atrocious. Illinois was consistently in the Purdue backfield, and moved the Boilermaker offensive line at will.

Purdue’s defensive line only got pressure when they brought extra people. However, they didn’t have any success moving Illinois’ offensive line.

The Fighting Illini offensive line had its moments, but was wildly inconsistent. They didn’t communicate very well when Purdue dialed up blitzes and brought pressure they had issues picking up where the free man was coming from. Their defensive line play has improved, but they aren’t deep.

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