⚡ CFB Dashboard

Purdue opened their 2026 season with a 44-19 win over Indiana State. A tune-up win in the books as the Boilermakers face their first real test of the season on Saturday, hosting a Wake Forest squad, who defeated Akron 38-16 in their opener.  We deliver five things we'd like to see from Purdue in their pursuit of win No. 2 against a formidable Demon Deacons squad.  1. Purdue continues to establish a running game. Fame Ijeboi asserted himself as RB1 for the Boilers, rushing for 87 yards on 11 carries (7.9 ypc) with one touchdown while hauling in two catches for 30 yards. He also had a 63-yard touchdown run negated by a holding penalty. More on that later. So, his numbers could have been even better. Travis Terrell Jr. (11 carries, 33 yards), Jerrick Gibson (6 carries, 22 yards), and Antonio Harris (6 carries, 32 yards) also contributed to the run game. In total, Purdue had 177 rushing yards on 40 carries, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. Need to keep that kind of production up against better competition on Saturday.  2. Ryan Browne continues being efficient. The Purdue quarterback was efficient and calculated throughout the night, going 23-of-29 for 317 yards with three touchdowns. That included scoring strikes to Chauncey Magwood (6 yards), Tra'Mar Harris (7 yards), and Asaad Waseem (18 yards). Browne's improved play and focus have been the talk of spring and fall camp and it shined through against the Sycamores. Now, the real battle begins and we'll see if the efficiency and mistake-free football will continue against power four competition.  3. Less penalties. Purdue didn't get off to a hot start against Indiana State last week, only leading 16-6 at halftime. Penalties marred the Boilers' third offensive drive of the game in the second quarter. Ijeboi broke loose toward the sidelines for what would have been a 63-yard touchdown run, but it was erased with by a holding penalty on wide receiver Jaylan Hornsby. Purdue overcame that call and marched into the redzone, only to have back-to-back false starts called on offensive linemen Micah Banuelos and Boaz Stanley. Stanley's was most notable because it was on a 3rd-and-goal play from the 3-yard line. That pushed the Purdue back and they had to settle for a 25-yard field goal. In all, the Boilers had nine penalties for 85 yards and Odom was not happy about right it after the game and at the Monday press conference.  4. Does left tackle Joey Tanona return? That was Purdue's most significant injury absence in their season-opener. Tanona, who started all 12 games last year for the Boilermakers, injured his ankle late in fall camp and head coach Barry Odom has been avoiding any injury talk to begin the season. Against the Sycamores, the Boilers' starting offensive line consisted of Nuku Mafi at left tackle, Brock Brownfield at left guard, Boaz Stanley at center, Micah Banuelos at right guard, and Jude McCoskey at right tackle. Curious how that lineup will look if and when Tanona does return.  5. Creating more turnovers. Purdue is already off to a great start with Don Saunders 35-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter last week. In 2025, the Boilers could only muster five turnovers the whole season. New defensive coordinator Kevin Kane is hoping to vastly improve that number in 2026. Their defense got more aggressive in the second half against the Sycamores, accumulating eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Should lead to more takeaways. We'll soon find out.