By Jimmy Hyams
NASHVILLE – Purdue has played musical chairs at quarterback each of the past two seasons.
Aiden O’Connell and Jake Plummer alternated starts before the tune stopped with O’Connell earlier this season.
O’Connell responded by completing 289 of 393 passes (73.5%) for 3,178 yards and 23 touchdowns with eight interceptions in eight starts (6-2 record). That includes two wins over top five teams.
Interestingly, Plummer was benched despite competing 68.5% of his passes for 864 yards and seven touchdowns with zero interceptions.
But the offense was stagnant, scoring just 13 points in four of five games during one stretch.
Few teams in the country pass more than Jeff Brohm’s offense. The Boilermakers attempted 528 passes and actually completed more passes (381) than they had rush attempts (359). Of course, when you average 2.8 yards per run, you’re more tempted to throw.
You’re also more tempted to air it out when you have a brilliant receiver like David Bell, who had 93 catches for 1,286 yards – including two 200-yard games against top-five opponents. In 2019, he had 86 catches for 1,035 yards. In the Covid-shortened 2020 season, he had 53 catches for 626 yards and a career season-high eight scores.
Fortunately for Tennessee, Bell has opted to sit out Thursday’s Music City Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.
Still, don’t expect Purdue (8-4) to rely on a ground game against Tennessee. Receiver Milton Weight had 57 catches for 732 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. Jackson Anthrop had 48 catches and Nashville’s TJ Sheffield had 33.
Tight ends figure prominently in the Purdue passing attack. Payne Dunham had 40 catches and three other tight ends combined for 26 catches, giving the position 66 receptions.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, who knows a thing or two about the passing game, is impressed with Purdue’s air game.
“They’ve got playmakers out on the perimeter,’’ Heupel said. “They do a great job of getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands. He (O’Connell) is a good decision maker, accurate with it, does a good job of taking care of it.
“You’ve got to do a great job (on) the perimeter screen game, defeat blocks and go make plays in space.
“Defensively for us, we’ve got to do a great job affecting the quarterback. If we can get them into third-and-long, and put some pressure on them, that’s going to be critical. At the same time, with some of their quick game, we’ve got to find a way to cause some issues with windows and them being able to deliver the football.’’
Tennessee has recorded 32 sacks and Purdue has allowed 27 sacks, which means putting pressure on the Purdue passer is doable.
Tennessee must face Purdue without its best cover corner, Alontae Taylor, who was bothered late in the season by an ankle injury and has opted out to focus on the Senior Bowl.
“I believe in the guys that will play there when we get to game day,’’ Heupel said. “It won’t be just one guy, I don’t think, throughout the entire 60 minutes. But (I’m) excited to see those guys go compete.’’
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