Matchup Preview: Syracuse at Purdue

Syracuse at Purdue

Time: Saturday, September 9, 7:30 p.m. E.T.

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Capacity: 61,441 (tickets sold out, available on SeatGeek)

2023 schedules/records: Purdue 1-1; Syracuse 2-0

Series Notes: Purdue and Syracuse will meet for the third time on Saturday, this time in the return trip of a home-and-home series that began last September in upstate New York. The two first met in 2004, when Purdue opened the season with a rare Sunday afternoon game. On that sunny afternoon, the Boilermakers drilled the Orange 51-0 behind a big day from Kyle Orton. Last season, a late touchdown pass lifted Syracuse to a dramatic win over Purdue in a flag-filled game in the JMA Wireless Dome. This marks the second-straight ACC opponent for Purdue after the Boilermakers 24-17 win at Virginia Tech last weekend.

TV: NBC (PxP Noah Eagle, Analyst Todd Blackledge, Sidelines Kathryn Tappen)

Radio: Purdue Sports Properties (PxP Tim Newton, Analyst Pete Quinn, Sidelines Kelly Kitchel)

Line: Syracuse -2.5, O/U 58.5

Pregame: First Look: Syracuse, Ryan Walters presser, Dino Babers presser, Ryan Walters can expect more texts, calls if he notches first Ross-Ade win Saturday night, 100 Seasons at Ross-Ade: 1944-53, The 3-2-1: Straw that stirs Purdue’s drink? It’s Devin Mockobee, Purdue Football Number Crunching: Week 2, acrepro.com Buy/Sell: Purdue football Week 3

Purdue Roster | Purdue Game Notes

Syracuse Roster | Syracuse Game Notes

Syracuse running game versus Purdue against the run

The Orange said goodbye to program legend Sean Tucker following the 2022 season, leaving a hole at running back. They’ve taken a “by committee” approach to the position through two games, as LeQuint Allen, Juwaun Prince and Ike Daniels each enter with at least 17 carries on the season. While Allen leads the way with four touchdowns on the young season, expect the Orange to rotate liberally at the running back position.

The Orange uses quarterback Garrett Shrader as a runner in designed run and scramble situations. In last season’s matchup, he ran 17 times for 83 yards against Purdue. He’s not scrambled quite that much yet this season, but his dual-threat ability makes him a key for Purdue’s defense to contain. Much of the designed run game will depend on the Syracuse offensive line, which entered the season with question marks. After matchups with Colgate and Western Michigan, Purdue will provide that group’s stiffest test to date.

Purdue held Virginia Tech to just 11 rushing yards, the fewest by a Purdue opponent since 1987, and the fewest on record in a road game. Transfers lead the way on the interior of the defensive line for Purdue, as Cole Brevard, Malik Langham and Isaiah Nichols look strong at the line of scrimmage through two games. They’ve allowed OC Brothers to shine as a run defender in the new-look defensive scheme as he and Dillon Thieneman work downhill to make tackles. Syracuse will provide a more run-heavy approach than Purdue saw from Fresno State or Virginia Tech, but it’s hard not to like what the Boilermaker defense has done against the run thus far.

Syracuse passing game versus Purdue against the pass

Now in his third year starting for the Orange, Shrader hopes to make 2023 the year where he showcases some consistency as a passer. After completing just 53% of his passes in 2021, he raised that number to 65% in 2022 but turned in a mediocre nine-to-seven touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s off to a good start this season, hitting 69% of his passes with five touchdowns to just one pick. In last season’s win over Purdue, he only completed 13 of his 29 passes, but three of those went for touchdowns, including the game-winner with just seconds remaining.

The status of Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II remains in jeopardy after he left last week’s game with an apparent leg injury. While he watched the second half of the game in a boot and on crutches, Syracuse head coach Dino Babers did not rule him out for Saturday’s contest. Gadsden, who caught the game-winning touchdown against Purdue last season, led the Orange in receiving and would be a major loss for Syracuse. Lanky wideout Umari Hatcher provides a big target for Shrader, while Donovan Brown and Isaiah Jones supplement him on the outside and create a formidable trio if Gadsden can’t go.

Purdue’s secondary showed improvement from week one to week two, holding Virginia Tech under 50% completion and picking off a pair of passes in the victory. Purdue would, however, like to cut down on the long pass plays it’s allowed. Virginia Tech starting quarterback Grant Wells averaged over 15 yards per completion, more than Purdue would prefer to allow. While it’s no secret that Purdue lacks depth on the back end, game reps may allow for sounder coverages. Purdue’s pass rush should flush Shrader out of the pocket, but getting home for the sack will be paramount, as Shrader’s running ability makes him a big-play threat.

Purdue running game versus Syracuse against the run

Purdue kept the ball on the ground 46 times against the Hokies, with some explosive runs highlighting the day. Devin Mockobee turned in a workman-like 95-yard performance, while Tyrone Tracy broke off two runs of more than 20 yards, with both finding the end zone in the win. The Boilermakers frequently rotate between Mockobee, Tracy and Dylan Downing, each of whom brings a different skill set. While there’s no doubt Mockobee will take the lion’s share of handoffs, he’ll benefit in the long run from some assistance in the backfield.

Quarterback Hudson Card ran far more in the season’s second game, scrambling more often and pulling some read-option plays for himself. He carried the ball 12 times against Virginia Tech, including a 12-yard carry and a touchdown. How much he runs every week remains to be seen, as the Boilermakers cannot afford for him to suffer an injury.

Syracuse’s two overmatched opponents struggled to run the ball against the Orange defense, averaging just 2.4 yards per carry and recording just seven first downs on the ground. At 75.5 yards per game allowed, it’s hard to ask for more against lesser competition. They’ve disrupted opponents at the line of scrimmage for 15 tackles for loss on the season, but again, the level of competition will take a step up on Saturday. Opponents saw success running against the Orange in 2022, as the 3-3-5 base presents opportunities for opponents on the ground. Purdue could not capitalize on the ground in the JMA Wireless Dome last season. Can it in the rematch?

Purdue passing game versus Syracuse against the pass

Through two games, Card looks the part of a solid Big Ten quarterback. He’s completed over 62% of his passes for 502 yards and, perhaps most importantly, remains interception-free. He’s looked comfortable throwing to all three levels, though deep shots have been infrequent thus far. After a shaky performance in the opener, the offensive line showcased improvement in week two, helping provide Card more time to operate.

Card featured a new top target last week, as athletic tight end Max Klare hauled in eight passes on the day. The tight end room got a lift with the return of Garrett Miller, too, who saw his first game action since the 2021 Music City Bowl last week. The wide receiver trio of Deion Burks, TJ Sheffield and Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen continues to see the vast majority of snaps out wide, while Mockobee and Tracy can use their hands out of the backfield. Burks’ speed gives him big play ability, while Yaseen looks to be a reliable target.

73-year-old Syracuse defensive coordinator Rocky Long has made a career of running his 3-3-5 defense at a high level. While he’s in his first year with the Orange, they ran the same formation last year, so familiarity helped smooth the transition. He likes to dial up pressure in a number of unique ways, bringing blitzes from different spots on the field throughout the game. Opposing quarterbacks averaged just 4.07 yards per attempt against this defense early on, but Card will present the toughest challenge for the Syracuse secondary. Long will hope his crew can build on their seven sacks and three interceptions when they take the field on Saturday night.

Special teams

Purdue kicker Ben Freehill has made just one of three field goal attempts to this point, as he made from 43 yards out and missed from 50 in Blacksburg on Saturday. One thing became clear though: his leg makes him a weapon from 50+. How far would Purdue let him try from?

Jack Ansell remains consistent through two games, as four of his ten punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line. Though Purdue didn’t break off a huge return, this season’s return game looks more dangerous than years past.

Orange kicker Brady Denaburg remains perfect on the season, making all three of his field goal attempts with a long of 36 yards. After serving as the kickoff specialist last season, he took over the place kicking duties this fall. Punter Jack Stonehouse averages a strong 46 yards per punt, but this will become the first time he’s kicked outdoors this season.

D’Marcus Adams will run back both the kickoffs and punts for Syracuse. He’s been aggressive in the punt return game, returning 11 kicks with a long of 39 yards. Eighteen of Denaburg’s 19 kickoffs landed in the end zone for touchbacks.

Intangibles

It’s impossible to ignore the revenge game factor. Few losses in recent memory left Purdue more frustrated than the loss at Syracuse last season did, as Purdue missed a golden opportunity to win one on the road. While half the Purdue roster didn’t play in that game, there’s no doubt the Purdue locker room will want to avenge the loss.

Ross-Ade Stadium sold out weeks ago for this game, as the Boilermakers will welcome a packed house for this nationally televised game. Purdue should benefit from the backing of more than 61,000 fans, and Syracuse hasn’t left the comfort of its dome to this point.

The 7-6 season in 2022 kept Dino Babers around, but questions about his long-term job security linger. A road win at a Big Ten foe could greatly help the perception of the former Purdue assistant, especially when it would mark a sweep of the home-and-home series. While Purdue will hope to avenge the 2022 loss, Syracuse will want to prove that their win was no fluke. For both teams, a win would mark significant progress toward bowl eligibility.

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