Some random thoughts from the big W tonight!
Offense
Oh, and did I mention I love Purdue football. That's all folks!
Offense
- Jaylin Noel welcome to the party pal - great game out of him. 5 targets, 5 catches, 48 yards. He needed a game like this to get his confidence up. I can tell he has elite speed and runs smooth routes. Need to continue to get him looks, did Joe Scates not play tonight at all? I'm starting to think by year end Jaylin Noel is our #2 threat at receiver.
- Breece - I mean what can be said? Just dominant. 200 yards, 2 td's, 6 yards a carry. He continues to play like this he is a 2nd round pick and might be flirting with first round status to me. Special player.
- Brock - not flashy but one of his best games as a Cyclone. On target on third downs, accurate the whole night, no picks. When he is in a flow he's the best option for this team, and he is starting to finally play with the confidence we all know he can play with. Need him to be great against the pokes.
- Tom Manning - great game called overall. I at no point felt we were predictable or sluggish. I also appreciate the more uptempo play at times. We don't have the O line to wait 30 seconds between plays and that is ok. He is calling good games lately and don't think he's been the problem this year. Yes the Iowa game was too conservative, but it's behind us. Need to continue games like this where we are a bit more free wheeling, will serve us well next week
- O line - Newell, Downing, Simmons, and Schweiger all got some space for Breece. Good job and I do not recall Brock getting hit. I didn't notice Foster much tonight and that's probably a positive. Jihrehl Brock is a good backup and receiving threat for us too.
- Will McDonald - 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles. And if he doesn't slip a few times maybe gets 4 sacks. I will never understand why people peg Thibodeaux on Oregon as the best DE in college fball, Will's stats are better, he was better head to head last year, and straight up I think is a better player. Absolute stud.
- Enyi - another solid night this dude just does not quit. 1 sack tonight. He should be on an nfl roster next year he has been incredible.
- Mike Rose - he had a few collisions with Deuce Vaughn where I actually thought Deuce would get hurt. Best LB to ever play for us and it's not even that close.
- Anthony Johnson - had some absolute trucks out there tonight and played extremely physical will need him to continue that
- Tampa is still feeling his game out, struggles at times, but the future is bright with him
- Beau Freyler and Craig McDonald - man is the future bright at safety
- Skyler Thompson was sore at the end of the game and other qb's will be as well with the way we play
- Andrew Mevis can kick, and kick with confidence. Perfect night and it made a huge difference.
- Outside of the one long-ish return to the 40 coverage teams were solid
- Cameron Shook - Corey Dunn set a bar fairly low for you sir and that's been an improvement. Good hang time, distance leaves a little to be desired.
Oh, and did I mention I love Purdue football. That's all folks!