Special Teams: B

Finally, after four plays, we saw Purdue’s field goal unit. The 45-yarder was a nice rebound for true freshman Spencer Porath after he missed a 39-yard attempt wide in the first quarter. The punt coverage was exceptional. The Boilermakers felt like it, perhaps too much, to open the second half and tried to put it back on the kickoff return. Not only were there not many yards, but there was also a waiting pattern on the return. The two blocked field goals in the first half are a heavyweight for this class.

Coaching: D

Honestly, not many expected Purdue to be down four points in the fourth quarter. Coaches put Purdue in position to win its Big Ten opener. But the offense continues to show signs of life, and that’s where Purdue needed to make the biggest improvement. Purdue’s defense adjusted, switching from man coverage to zone coverage after a series of penalties in the first half. Dylan Raiola took the zone apart. You may question the decision to kick a field goal instead of going for it on 4th-and-1. But Purdue hasn’t led since August, and back then it was an important play to put points on the board. Purdue needs to get more creative because there are still four games left and this is the result you’re putting out.

Game play

Purdue’s defense put the Huskers within 1 on their first drive of the fourth quarter. But the Boilermakers couldn’t get it done at one point. Nebraska would either take a commanding lead or force Purdue to cover 99 yards. Dante Dowdell ran right and flipped into the end zone with 10:34 left to give Nebraska a 14-3 lead. The way Purdue’s offense played couldn’t make up for that deficit.