Purdue Boilermakers vs Western Illinois Leathernecks Preview

After losing its much-anticipated opener last week against Notre Dame, Purdue hopes to use Saturday’s matchup with Western Illinois as a chance to take out some frustration. 

The Boilermakers would be wise to avoid a letdown in their home opener, as they continue to develop as a team and build momentum toward the Big Ten schedule.

Quarterback Robert Marve made his debut in the 23-12 loss to the Irish this past weekend. He showed what the hype was all about, for better or worse.

First, the bad news: Marve, who was admittedly rusty and a little too keyed up in his first game action since 2008, sometimes made ill-advised throws into traffic.  He took a key penalty in the fourth quarter when he took a celebratory dive-and-roll into the end zone on a touchdown run that brought the Boilers within eight points.  He might have had a little too much energy and swagger.

Yet, there’s plenty of good news for the Purdue offense with Marve at the helm.  With a running game that will probably lack consistency all season, Marve’s mobility will keep defenses guessing.  When he’s one-on-one with a linebacker, he’s as good as gone, as he proved on his fourth-quarter touchdown last Saturday. 

Even though he didn’t complete a home-run ball, Marve looked dangerous when he rolled out and threw long.  Look for the Boilermakers to make several big plays this season when Marve scrambles, stops, and flings it deep.  The long ball was missing from the Purdue offense last season with the average arm of Joey Elliott, but 2010 will be a different story.

Wide receiver Keith Smith, probably Purdue’s best returning offensive player caught 12 passes for 80 yards.  Marve spread the ball around, hitting eight different receivers and finishing 31-of-42 for 220 yards.

Purdue had some success defensively against the Irish, as the young defensive backfield was better than advertised.  However, the tackling on the second and third level has room for improvement.  Outside linebacker Joe Holland and safety Max Charlot both whiffed on an Armando Allen (Notre Dame) touchdown in the first quarter.

This week’s opponent, Western Illinois, struggled through a 1-10 season last year in the FCS.  The Leathernecks opened their 2010 season with a 45-0 win over Valparaiso, however, and seem to have improved.  WIU outgained Valpo, 569-131. However, this game should serve as a glorified scrimmage for Purdue, which will have a chance to test out some new wrinkles on offense, and allow the young defensive backfield to continue its development.

> More 2009 College Football Previews from CollegeSports-fans.com