Did he get more time?
It’s mid-week, which means it’s time for the staff roundtable. We continue to focus on the football team this week.
Was the offense against Illinois a last gasp of an outgoing coach trying to save his job or was it an offense actually finding something that can work going forward?
Ledman:
I actually think it might be an offense that has actually found something. Yes, Ryan Walters knows and understands the Illinois defense better than other teams he’s faced this season, but there had to have been more to it than that? Maybe I’m just being squishy and giving Walters the benefit of the doubt because I want him to succeed, but the change at QB made a world of difference and Walters calling the plays seemed to play to Purdue’s strengths rather than against them. I hope this is the start of the offense’s turnaround (despite the gauntlet of a schedule coming up).
Kyle:
I think a little bit of both? It was a prime example of throwing something at the wall to see if it sticks… and it looks like it may.
The playcalling was much more diverse than we have season under the Harrell offense and the run game actually had layers to it for once.
The heavy run scheme in the first half opened up the passing lanes in the 2nd half for Browne to excel, but obviously, the defense needs some help still.
Ryan:
Yes. I personally don’t think these two things are mutually exclusive. I will caution everyone that Illinois had extremely little tape of Ryan Browne and Ryan Walter should definitely have inside knowledge of the workings Illinois’ defense. That said, the offense seemed to be much more fluid under Ryan Walters as play caller to the point where I really only had a problem with 1 or 2 play calls (the final 2 point conversion was not one of them). Did it seem like a desperation move from Walters? Absolutely, but if that puts Purdue in the best place to compete for the rest of the year, so be it. I would prefer the same kind of spark on the defensive side of the ball, however. Maybe Jason Simmons can call the defense?
Jed:
I think the offensive output had a whole lot to do with the Illini not being aware of what Ryan Browne could do in addition to not knowing the tendencies of what Ryan Walters was going to call in certain situations. The first half I think can be explained by Walters and Browne both making their first starts but I don’t think you would immediately get on track like that without some help from a confused defense.
I do think that Browne may be better served to run an offense that is capable of making bigger plays with his feet in combination with Mockobee and Love. That may be better served for this team but ultimately I don’t think Purdue will learn much from playing one of the best teams in the country.
Drew:
A little of both.
Walters went all-in against his former team and put an exciting product on the field for a half. This team needed something to go right, and when it did, the dam broke and the points started to flow. It probably helps that Illinois runs Ryan Walters’s defense. Who better to game plan against a defense than the guy who designed it. I’m not sure how much of the Illinois performance is pertinent to the rest of the season.
At the same time Ryan Browne established himself as a player moving forward. He wasn’t perfect but he made plays outside the offense, and that’s been sorely lacking this season. His performance is something Purdue can build on moving forward.