Takeaways in Purdue's 52-38 loss to UCLA
- In Purdue's 2026 loss at UCLA, the defense allowed 645 yards, including 404 rushing yards, and 16 plays of at least 15 yards. The writer identifies missed tackles as a major problem. This describes the game's run-defense and explosive-play failures, not an announced change to the defensive front or personnel.
- Against UCLA, Purdue's Xavier Townsend caught six passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, with 152 yards credited after the catch. Asaad Waseem caught eight for 149 on a team-high 14 targets but lost a third-quarter fumble. The figures show that game's receiving production and target concentration, not a guaranteed future target split.
- Purdue's Fame Ijeboi managed 47 yards on 17 carries against UCLA, or 2.8 per carry, despite scoring twice. In contrast, seven of Ryan Browne's 19 completions gained at least 20 yards, including all three touchdown passes. The writer describes an offense made one-dimensional by the limited rushing output, not a new pass-heavy play-calling policy.
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