Grading the Boilermakers: Purdue-Wisconsin

As, Bs, Cs? What grades did we hand out following Purdue’s 38-17 loss vs. Wisconsin?

Rushing offense

Difficult to quibble with 194 yards rushing on 31 carries. Tyrone Tracy got the start over Devin Mockobee, who had a case of fumble-itis last week. He fumbled again on Friday. Tracy delivered 84 yards and a TD. He continues to come on. Dylan Downing is effective in bursts, running for 30 yards on six totes with a team-long 25-yarder. Mockobee? He had only four carries for 26 yards. Who is the No. 1 back?

Grade: A-

Passing offense

It was a mixed bag, as Hudson Card hit only 21-of-38 passes (55 percent) for 202 yards. And, he had two interceptions, one of which came on a desperation heave at the end of the first half. Add it up, and that’s seven turnovers he has accounted for the last two games. The long pass? A scant 21 yards. It was good to see Deion Burks targeted a team-high 13 times, making a team-best six grabs for 83 yards. Would still like more. TE Garrett Miller still isn’t himself.

Grade: C

Offense overall

The final numbers don’t look bad. In fact, Wisconsin out gained Purdue, 402-396, and converted 6-of-13 third downs (46 percent). But a slow first half torpedoed the Boilermakers, who trailed 21-3 at the break and had just 163 yards. And a season-low 17 points? That won’t cut it. Purdue was sacked two times and allowed eight TFLs. The Boilermakers spent much of their day behind the chains, as the average distance for third downs finished at 9.3 yards to gain.

Grade: C+

Rushing defense

Opposing quarterbacks continue to confound Purdue. Last week, it was Syracuse’s Garrett Shrader, who had 195 yards rushing with four TDs on the ground. This week, it was the Badgers’ Tanner Mordecai, who had 44 yards and two TDs. But it was Braelon Allen who did the real damage with 116 yards and two scores on 16 carries. Wisconsin finished with 204 yards on 43 totes with four rushing scores. This looked like the ground-and-pound Badgers, not the new look Air Raid Badgers.

Grade: D

Passing defense

Since it ran so well, Wisconsin didn’t have to pass much. Mordecai hit 17-of-27 aerials (63 percent) for 174 yards, getting picked once and tossing a TD pass. Penalties were an issue … again. Purdue had seven a week after getting flagged 11 times. Nice to see JC transfer Botros Alisandro notch his first-career pick.

Grade: C

Defense overall

This unit continues to struggle at times, with the Badgers scoring TDs on each of their first three possessions. After a punt, Wisconsin proceeded to drill field goals on its next three drives. It was a long night for a unit that yielded 38 points. Getting pressure without blitzing is an issue, notching a sack and six TFLs. An ugly fact: Wisconsin converted its first eight third downs and finished 12-of-18 (66 percent). Purdue has to be better at getting off the field.

Grade D+

Special teams

The return game was a non-factor. K Ben Freehill was out with injury. No worries, as Caleb Krockover handled kickoffs with Julio Macias manning field goals. Macias drilled his first career field-goal attempt. Coverage was solid, for the most part.

Grade: B+

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