Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck contends “there’s lots of good to pull” from last week’s loss at top-ranked Ohio State despite the Buckeyes’ 42-3 runaway.
The Golden Gophers (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) will aim to channel it during Saturday’s visit from Purdue while hoping to keep the Boilermakers (2-3, 0-2) within their grasp in Minneapolis.
Minnesota missed 14 tackles at Ohio State and has 45 misses over the past three games. Defensive back Koi Perich (nine) and linebacker Devon Williams (eight) paced the Golden Gophers in tackles against the Buckeyes, but Fleck feels boosting the hitting in practice is unwise.
“I don’t think turning up the physicality with the level of depth in season is the smartest thing to do,” he said. “I’d rather have the really good players I have keep getting better at tackling than not have any players at all.”
Purdue is also coming off a loss to a ranked conference foe.
The Boilermakers hung around with No. 22 Illinois but ultimately lacked big plays on both sides of the ball, losing 43-27 at home.
Quarterback Ryan Browne passed for 302 yards and a touchdown and added a 1-yard rushing TD. Corey Smith hauled in a 60-yard scoring pass and had 83 yards on three receptions, providing a complement to Michael Jackson III (14 catches, 94 yards).
“Our ability to run routes and get open, I feel like we’re challenging people in that part of our game,” said Boilermakers offensive coordinator John Henson. “Every week you have to go prove it, but I feel like we’re threatening with some of the things we’re doing.”
Defensive back Tony Grimes is trending toward a return after missing the Illinois game due to injury, Purdue coach Barry Odom said.
Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey sputtered to a 15-for-26, 94-yard performance through the air at Ohio State one week after torching Rutgers for 324 yards and three scores in his conference debut.
Purdue has won two straight in the series, including a 49-30 home victory in the schools’ most recent meeting, on Nov. 11, 2023.
