Feature image from @Boilerfootball

What Happened: A stout first-half Purdue defense lost steam, QB Aiden O’Connell missed three open touchdown passes, Jeff Brohm’s nemesis (rain) again inspired conservative playcalling, and AOC took three drive-killing 10-yard sacks as Purdue fell short on Homecoming against Minnesota.

But all that being said - Purdue had the ball as the clock ticked down in a one-possession game, with David Bell willing the offense back to light before a game-sealing AOC interception in the red zone. While both quarterbacks were plagued by rain-induced miscues, Tanner Morgan (and the Gopher running game) found a way to keep the chains moving in the second half.

It’s not that PJ Fleck was any more aggressive than Brohm. The problem is that when the game becomes a competition between two conservative teams relying on fewer mistakes behind experienced (if uninspiring) quarterback play, all of the advantages of this Purdue roster are neutralized.

When AOC makes quick decisions, doesn’t have to manipulate the pocket, and doesn’t have to extend the play while keeping his eyes downfield, he’s put in the best position to lead Purdue’s offense. But the way we saw him in the second half brought out all his weaknesses, and his lack of high-major arm talent (he’s a great guy, but he was a walk-on for a reason) couldn’t bail him out of some inopportune situations.

Some questions after Purdue’s 3-2 start to the season, going into the bye:

Will the bye week bring health? Purdue’s needs to fully recover from a the injuries to Mershawn Rice, Payne Durham, Cory Trice, and the bumps and bruises that have left Purdue short-handed early this season. It would be nice if health luck ever went Purdue’s way, but I’m not holding my breath.

Will the bye week bring some offensive introspection? The return of RB King Doerue breathed a little life into Purdue’s running game, but even in a downpour this offense will never be able to use the run to set up the pass. Every bit of strength this offensive roster has is enhanced by a faster paced, quick-read, pass-heavy system. But all that takes Brohm and Purdue’s offensive staff to look in the mirror and see what this team is clearly, instead of what they wish this team was.

Will we see another quarterback change? Everything I typed in the previous paragraph relies on a quarterback who can make quick reads, manipulate the pocket around an attacking pass rush, can make quick intermediate throws with reliable accuracy, and can bail the offense out for a few yards with his legs if it all falls apart. So, basically, if Jack Plummer and AOC could fuse into one guy, that would be just about enough. AOC is a fantastic backup option, but the missed easy open touchdown passes for the second straight game and the flustered deep sacks he took show that an offense can’t be built around him unless check-downs are quick and clear. Jack has the better arm and better pocket presence, but needs to make quicker and more accurate decisions. Austin Burton was brought in for some interesting running plays, and I hope to see a few tricks in the upcoming games where Purdue will be clearly outmatched. To me, Jack the Snack (with a much longer leash from Brohm) is the clear choice.

Why can’t we make the entire plane out of David Bell? If in doubt, just chuck it in Bell’s direction and he’ll get a hand on it. If AOC hits an open Milton Wright for a touchdown with under a minute left, we remember this game as another one where Bell’s heroics bailed us out. Let’s give him love anyway, because we’re unlikely to see another receiver as reliable as him for a while. What a perfect player.

Will Purdue’s improved defense and pass rush finally force a fumble, and will holds ever be called on Big George Karlaftis? Whomst can say? But either way, the improvement Brad Lambert, Mark Hagen, and the rest of this new defensive coaching staff has brought to West Lafayette has been far beyond my craziest hopes. Shoutout to them, and shoutout to Bob Diaco for conning multiple programs out of millions of dollars.

Is this a Bowl team? The margin for error just vanished. Purdue has exactly three winnable games left on the schedule: at Nebraska, vs Northwestern, and vs Indiana. They have to have all of them for a successful season, and for that to happen Purdue’s offensive coaching staff has to revamp.

Is there a better visual for Purdue football than belly-flopping directly into a 6-inch puddle of muddy water? I think not.