WEST LAFAYETTE – Whereas Purdue’s objectives stay intact, regardless of Saturday’s loss to Wisconsin, the larger concern is the state of the secondary.

Specifically the cornerback place.

Cory Trice and Jamari Brown left the 35-24 loss to the Badgers with accidents and now the Boilermakers are looking for choices heading into their off-week. We don’t know the extent of the accidents, aside from Trice and Brown didn’t return and that’s by no means a very good signal. Similar for defensive finish Kydran Jenkins, the workforce’s simplest go rusher, who left with a proper leg harm.

The secondary – and never simply the cornerbacks – has come beneath scrutiny the final two weeks, giving up quite a few massive performs by way of the air and the continuing downside of missed tackles continues. Possibly the return of Chris Jefferson helps fill a void and permits the teaching workers to maneuver some items round.

On with the countdown:

5 PLAYERS WHO MATTERED

John Torchio: The fifth-year senior security made an affect, not solely as soon as, however twice with a pair of interceptions. The primary one was a pick-six, giving the Badgers a 14-0 lead and the second arrange Wisconsin for a brief third-quarter landing drive and a 28-3 benefit. Torchio additionally led the protection with 10 tackles and added a go breakup. Strong day for the previous walk-on.

Devin Mockobee: It’s good to have choices within the backfield, however Mockobee is clearly Purdue’s No. 1 working again. “Loopy legs” delivered massive runs early because the Boilermakers tried to reply the Badgers’ fast begin, together with a 30-yarder. It appeared it might result in factors, however Mitchell Fineran missed a 24-yard discipline objective try. Mockobee posted his third 100-yard recreation with 108 on 23 carries, one week after rolling up 178 on 30 carries and incomes Large Ten Freshman of the Week honors. He’s in a groove proper now and appears to turn into efficient with extra carriers.

Braelon Allen: One other Wisconsin working again enjoys a giant day towards the Boilermakers? We’ve seen this film earlier than, and it exhibits no signal of slowing down. Allen completed with 113 yards, together with a 41-yard run that arrange a first-quarter rating. Though Allen averaged 7.1 yards per carry, it wasn’t the dominating efficiency that we’ve seen from a Badger working again. It was good however different backs have pummeled Purdue from the get-go. It was a part of a 178-yard speeding day for Wisconsin, which continues to chew up yardage on the bottom towards the Boilermakers for the 16^th straight time.

Graham Mertz: The much-maligned quarterback prevented errors and located open receivers down the sector. Primarily based on Purdue’s secondary scenario, Mertz wanted to make the most of the breakdowns and busts. He wasn’t excellent however efficient sufficient to maintain the offense going. He’s thrown sufficient interceptions this season to trigger angst among the many fan base and the teaching workers however didn’t overdo it Saturday. He was 13 of 21 for 203 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 15.3 yards per completion and delivered massive performs.

Charlie Jones: How a lot the Iowa switch would play was the main query heading into the sport and didn’t look hampered in any respect, regardless of an harm. He additionally returned punts. If Purdue was attempting to guard Jones, preserving him away from the return recreation was an possibility however he was wholesome sufficient to be on the market. Jones completed with 10 catches – his fourth double-digit reception recreation – for 105 yards. Made a spectacular catch within the fourth quarter when the ball bounced off his foot and fell into his fingers whereas laying on the bottom.

4 KEY PLAYS

Decide-six: Torchio’s interception was the play of the sport and set the tone.  

Allen’s 41-yard run: The Badgers took over after a missed discipline objective by Fineran and had moved to the Purdue 47-yard line. Allen broke by way of the primary line of protection and obtained into the open discipline. He was introduced down on the 6 and Wisconsin scored three performs later to push the result in 21-0.

Fourth-and-1: Down by three touchdowns, the Boilermakers wanted a spark and going for it fourth down early within the second quarter was designed to offer a elevate. Nonetheless, O’Connell’s brief go to Mockobee was incomplete however Purdue was referred to as for an unlawful shift.

Torchio’s second decide: Any hope the Boilermakers had of climbing again into the sport was solely doable in the event that they prevented errors. On third-and-9 to start out the second half, Trochio intercepted O’Connell once more. His 18-yard return arrange one other rating for Wisconsin, which stretched the result in 28-3.

3 NUMBERS

12: Turnovers within the final 5 video games by the Boilermakers.

72: Whole factors allowed by Purdue’s protection within the final two video games.  

4,178: Dashing yards generated by Wisconsin’s working recreation through the 16-game profitable streak towards the Boilermakers.

2 QUESTIONS

▶ What are the choices within the secondary if Trice and Brown are out for an prolonged interval?

▶ Will Jefferson return this week for follow and be prepared when Iowa visits Ross-Ade Stadium?

1 FINAL THOUGHT

Both late Saturday evening or Sunday morning, watching BTN’s Closing Drive is a should. It recaps the day within the Large Ten and helps formulate what occurred and the way the league seems going ahead. Nonetheless, watching Saturday evening’s present was perplexing at finest. The crew referred to as Purdue inconsistent. Unsure I agree. The Boilermakers have been coming off a four-game profitable streak, which isn’t thought-about inconsistent. Purdue wasn’t excellent through the profitable streak and had loads of ups and downs in every recreation however pieced collectively 4 victories in a row and completed the robust month of October at 3-1, together with a pair of wins at Minnesota and Maryland. Wisconsin has been inconsistent, and the teaching change provides to it. Pounded Northwestern. Misplaced to Michigan State. Defeated Purdue. Illinois has been probably the most constant workforce within the Large Ten West, incomes itself the function of favourite down the stretch. However the Boilermakers don’t match the inconsistent label. No less than not but. They’ve main points within the secondary relying on the well being of Trice and Brown. And even when these two return at 100%, the issues of busted coverages and blown assignments stay based mostly on what we’ve seen. However higher play from the safeties is required, particularly veteran Cam Allen. Purdue continues to show the ball over – a constant theme this season – however had overcome these errors through the profitable streak. It couldn’t overcome the giveaways Saturday and encountered a workforce that pounced. Mockobee stays a constant risk within the working recreation and Jones is again to his early season type, regardless of not working towards this week. O’Connell has proven stretches of inconsistency and these two video games match the class. He was fairly good towards Nebraska. He was mediocre towards Wisconsin, however the Badgers’ protection performed a job. He can – and can – play higher. The Large Ten West remains to be there for Purdue’s taking. Win out and the division title resides in West Lafayette. Illinois is in the identical place however faces a tougher schedule with Michigan arising in November. The Nov. 12 battle in Champaign is shaping up because the defacto West title recreation. The Boilermakers have proven they’re able to placing collectively a profitable streak and matching what they did earlier this season is all that’s crucial. The off-week is an opportunity to determine these items out, however does Purdue have sufficient frontline expertise and depth remaining to restart one other stretch of wins?

Mike Carmin covers Purdue sports activities for the Journal & Courier and USA Right now Sports activities Community. Electronic mail mcarmin@gannett.com and comply with on Twitter and Instagram @carmin_jc