Purdue Boilermakers vs Ball State Cardinals Football Preview

After an unimpressive win over FCS opponent Western Illinois last week, the Purdue Boilermakers return to Ross-Ade Stadium to take on in-state rival Ball State at noon on Saturday.

After struggling in its season opener against Notre Dame, Purdue appeared to make little progress offensively last week against a much friendlier opponent – and then disaster struck when the Boilers’ best offensive player, wide receiver Keith Smith, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth quarter.

The Boilermakers, who also lost running back Ralph Bolden to an ACL tear in the spring, will now turn to a slew of unproven contributors.  Former quarterback Justin Siller, who caught a tunnel screen and ran for a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter last week, will probably be Robert Marve’s top target at receiver.  Antavian Edison takes over in Smith’s slot receiver position.  True freshman O.J. Ross, who caught four passes last week, may also see his role expand.

Marve completed 23 of 34 passes against the Leathernecks.  He was efficient in the short passing game, and didn’t force as many throws as he did the previous week against Notre Dame.

Last week, Dan Dierking led Purdue running backs with 102 yards on 14 carries with two touchdowns.  Sophomore Al-Terek McBurse added 81 yards on five carries, including a highlight-reel 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Marve should have plenty of chances to deliver the ball to his new favorite targets on Saturday.  Last week, Ball State gave up 276 yards to Liberty quarterback Mike Brown in a 27-23 loss that surely cranked up the heat under the seat of Coach Stan Parrish.

Parrish hasn’t named a starting quarterback for Saturday.  Kelly Page and Keith Wenning with both play against Purdue.  Page was the starter at the beginning of the season, but Wenning, a freshman, was impressive in leading the Cardinals’ unsuccessful comeback attempt last week, completing 13 of 18 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

Whoever starts at quarterback for the Cardinals will likely be dodging and scrambling to elude Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who racked up an incredible 12 tackles, four for loss, last week against Western Illinois.

Ball State is a program in sharp decline since its phenomenal 2008 season.  A loss at home to an FCS program represents an ugly new low.  But the Cardinals will be facing a Purdue team that might be shellshocked and vulnerable after losing one of its top players.

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