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In our "Out of Spring" series, Orange and Blue News takes a look at spring football for the Illini's 2018 opponents.
Next up, we review spring football for the Purdue Boilermakers. Illinois hosts Purdue for Homecoming on October 13, 2018 at Memorial Stadium.
Purdue defeated Illinois 29-10 last season in West Lafayette. Quarterback David Blough was 16 of 24 for 194 yards against the Illini, but he suffered a severe leg injury that ended his season. Purdue out-gained Illinois 435 yards to 250.
First-year coach Jeff Brohm led Purdue to a 7-6 record last season, including a 38-35 win over Arizona in the Foster Farms Bowl. Brohm was the quarterbacks coach at Illinois from 2010-11.
Purdue held its annual spring game on April 7. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sipe completed 14 of 24 passes for a game-high 180 yards and a touchdown. Early enrollee and true freshman quarterback Jack Plummer finished 15 of 22 for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman running back Alexander Horvath had 140 yards of total offense.
Orange and Blue News caught up with Purdue football beat writer Stacy Clardie from Gold and Black Illustrated to get the lowdown on Purdue headed out of the spring. Follow Stacy Clardie on Twitter @StacyClardie. Follow Purdue football @BoilerFootball.
Jeff Brohm had a successful first season at Purdue. How much buzz was their surrounding the program this spring, and what does Brohm need to do to take another leap forward in 2018?
Stacy Clardie: Brohm has talked quite a bit about how "hungry" Purdue's fan base was, so when Purdue finished a surprising 7-6 and won a bowl game, that only elevated expectations. Realistically or not. So, there's general excitement in the community to see what Year 2 will bring. But this is a different roster, especially on defense.
To take a "leap forward," Nick Holt is going to have to once again get every ounce out of the defense, which is full of inexperience. Brohm will focus on the offense's improvement, as its play caller, but he still doesn't have quite as many playmakers as he'd like, especially at receiver. For that unit to take the next step, it'll need to develop those players.
What were some of the major storylines for the Boilers this spring, and what questions do you think were answered?
SD: That inexperienced D was the top storyline — because Purdue had to replace seven starters with, primarily, players who'd never started a game. Some haven't even played in one. There was a considerable learning curve this spring because of that, and the front seven, especially, must continue to make considerable strides this summer.
At least coaches show some of those young players emerge, especially redshirt freshmen Dedrick Mackey and Kenneth Major at cornerback, which was a position that's replacing both starters.
On offense, David Blough was ready to go on Day 1, returning from a fractured ankle in less than four months. He was the No. 1 QB, then, throughout the spring with Elijah Sindelar spending the spring rehabbing from a torn ACL. That could help Blough have an edge for the starting job going into training camp.
The Boilermakers graduated some stalwarts from the defense. Who will be the toughest to replace, and who are some potential player-makers who need to step up on that side of the football?
SD: Every starter was imperative, but perhaps especially team MVP Ja'Whaun Bentley at linebacker, edge rusher Danny Ezechukwu, interior run-plugger Gelen Robinson and starting cornerbacks Da'Wan Hunte and Josh Okonye. All will be difficult to replace, especially because Purdue is turning to young players, for the most part, in those spots.
Still, Markus Bailey is the team's best player, and as a junior, he'll be the unquestioned leader and top producer at inside linebacker. But the real surges need to come from the young players who will have increased roles, like defensive end Giovanni Reviere and those young corners.
Who were some other break-out performers and / or newcomers this spring that fans need to be aware of?
SD: Purdue desperately needed JUCO receivers Isaac Zico and Terry Wright to deliver a significant jump from disappointing first years, and, for the most part, both had good springs. Zico, at times, looked like a dominant player with an ability to leap and snatch passes over defensive backs down the field. But late in spring, he faltered, and it'll now be a test to see whether he can regain confidence over the summer. Wright is one of the team's fastest players, and he moved from the slot to outside receiver and gave the team a different dynamic.
Pretty much every first- or second-year player who will log considerable snaps on the defense are players fans should watch. There's potential there with Reviere, Kai Higgins and Jeff Marks on the line and Derrick Barnes at linebacker, as well as those CBs.
What questions still need to be answered when Purdue opens camp later this summer?
SD: Plenty. There's no indication who will be the starting quarterback after Blough and Sindelar shared reps for more than half of last season until just before Blough's injury. Someone needs to emerge as a go-to receiver. Brohm wants at least one deep threat, and there's not a consistent one yet. There isn't much depth at offensive tackle, and the starter on the left side is coming off an ACL injury. And so many more as it relates to the defense.
