Looking Back at Nevada for the Positives
(Photo credit: Chris Johnson, Purdue Athletics)
Let’s be sunny-side-up this morning and look at what went well late Friday night, when Purdue played three-fourths of a good game against Nevada.
The fourth quarter was a mess, as we all know and as Boilerdowd detailed in pretty impressive fashion given that it was 3 AM when he wrote it. But he also made some cogent points (I know, I was as surprised as you) the next morning on his livestream quickcast when he told you all that the sun, in fact, rose the next day.
Sure, this loss absolutely pops the balloon for those who were envisioning 8+ wins. We all agreed that there were a handful of games they just had to have to make it that special season. It can still – and likely will still – be fun, but now it’s going to require some surprises to make it into that “special” category. (I could write a sky-is-falling post about how losing to Nevada makes me worry that 0-5 is now possible, but I already said we’re being sunny-side-up today.)
So let’s assess a few things.
Elijah Sindelar – Eli did a few things in the 4th quarter that made us scratch our heads but we remain huge fans. Sindelar looked poised for the first three quarters and his chemistry with the receivers is there, which is also encouraging. Elijah threw for over 400 yards (again) and tossed four TDs. I’ll take that kind of game, to be honest. I can even live with a couple of interceptions, because when you toss the ball around 50 times, that can happen…and it’s something we accept as Purdue fans when our best years and our offensive identity as fans has been to terrorize defenses with fire-raining QBs.
Rondale Moore – Rondale is still Rondale. Doesn’t look overhyped to me, clocking in with 180 all-purpose yards and a TD. Moore makes the team dangerous by himself and also makes things easier for his teammates since he will garner so much attention. He’ll be a workhorse and will continue to excite you every time the ball heads in his direction. I know he muffed the punt return that got the comeback started – I think it’s safe to say he knows that, too. He’ll be back to redeem himself.
Zander Horvath – I’m not a fan of people using “Zander” as a nickname for “Alexander,” but we’ll let it slide. Purdue’s RB corps was a concern, especially when Fuller went down. Horvath rushed 19 times for 66 yards, so while that’s only a 3.5 ypc average, he did some bruising as he went and at least provided a realistic rushing threat for Purdue to lean on.
Brycen Hopkins – Hopkins is such a nice safety blanket for Sindelar to have. He’s a big, sure-handed TE who caught six passes for 84 yards and a TD. The offense was flowing and he’s a big part of it.
David Bell and Jackson Anthrop – I was excited for both of these guys, who each only caught one pass but made the most of them. Bell hauled in a 49 yard TD in his first college game and Anthrop did what he (and other Anthrops) do – he made the most of his opportunity, also catching only one pass but going 38 yards for the score.
JD Dellinger – JD kicked four extra points and nailed a field goal. He then went out a robbed a bank in Reno and headed towards Carson City. Pew pew!
Defense – I know we all want to come down on the defense for blowing that lead and it’s fine if you want to. But again, there were things to be positive about. Markus Bailey continues to be a stud with ten tackles, seven solo and one for a loss. Derrick Barnes and Ben Holt had 15 tackles between them and Kenny Major had six tackles and, really, what looked a lot like a game-sealing interception in the end zone. The officials rule in Purdue’s favor there and we’re giving the D kudos for bending but not breaking. So it goes.
Purdue lost the game, yes, but the team got something out of this that you need in early-season games – they got everything oiled and working. They’ll need it as they come home to face Vandy, TCU and Minnesota.
