Notre Dame Opponent Preview: Purdue Boilermakers Offense

Purdue Boilermakers

September 8, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. EST

TV: NBC

Last Meeting: Notre Dame 38-Purdue 10

Caleb Terbush, QB, Senior-Terbush did not play in the opener for the Boilermakers due to a suspension. He was suspended for a violation of team rules. Robert Marve played for Purdue against Eastern Kentucky. He went 30-for-38 for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, ESPN is reporting that Terbush will start against the Irish. Terbush threw for 1905 yards in 2011. He had a 61.5% completion percentage. In the game against Notre Dame, Terbush went 10-for-15 for 101 yards and 1 touchdown. Is starting Terbush the right decision or should have Danny Hope stuck with Marve?

Akeem Shavers, RB, Senior-Shavers rushed for 74 yards against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. In 2011, Shavers rushed for 519 yards. He had a 4.7 yard average. Shavers was a Junior College enrollee to Purdue University. He was named the Little Cesar’s Pizza Bowl MVP after rushing for 149 yards on 22 carries. Can Shavers be successful against Notre Dame’s stout rushing defense? If he can be, Purdue has a much better chance at winning in Notre Dame Stadium.

O.J. Ross, WR, Junior-Ross had an excellent game against the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky. He led the Boilermakers in receiving yards in their first game. Ross had 8 receptions for 71 yards. In 2011, he caught 33 passes for 356 yards. Ross returns with the second most yards from last year. O.J. Ross checks in at 5’10” 188.

Antavian Edison, WR, Senior-Edison is the leading retuning receiver from last year. In 2011, he had 44 receptions for 584 yards with 3 touchdowns. Edison began the season with 58 yards on 7 receptions. Antavian Edison has similar size to Ross. He weighs in at 5’11” 175.

Robert Marve, QB, Senior-Marve started the first game for the Boilermakers in 2012. He went 30-for-38 for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns. Marve appeared in 10 games last season as the back up to Terbush. Therefore, it would seem likely that Marve might play in this game even if Terbush is successful or not.

Purdue ranks 17th overall in total Offense with 547 yards per game. The Boilermakers threw for 372 yards against Eastern Kentucky. That total ranks 9th nationally. Purdue also racked up 175 yards on the ground, which finishes 55th after one week of College Football. These numbers of course can be skewed after only one week. The truth about programs comes out much later in the year.

The Boilermakers might be custom built on Offense to beat Notre Dame. Purdue starts a Senior Quarterback with another coming off the bench. Both have plenty of experience and both have started against the Fighting Irish. The Offense features two small but shifty wide outs who constantly get their hands on the ball. This could play into the weakness that Notre Dame has in the secondary. Notre Dame may truly be tested on Saturday. In addition to the passing attack, Purdue can keep you honest with a solid Running Back who is quickly emerging. Purdue starts three Juniors and two Seniors on the Offensive Line. This Senior class has never beaten Notre Dame. They are an experienced team. Even though Notre Dame is favored by 14.5 points, Purdue’s experienced Offense could give Notre Dame problems all day.