Purdue enters Saturday afternoon’s game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., on a 12-game losing streak in Big Ten play.
Although he has presided over only four of those defeats — all in the past four games — Boilermakers’ first-year coach Barry Odom feels the urgency to stop the skid.
“We’ve got to do it, I’ve got to do it, we have to do it as a staff, and then our team has to go out and execute and find a way to win a close game,” Odom said. “We had a lead going into the fourth quarter (last Saturday); we have to win those games.”
The Boilermakers (2-4, 0-3) were outscored 14-0 in the fourth quarter Saturday at Minnesota to turn a 20-13 lead into a 27-20 loss. The Golden Gophers scored the winning touchdown on Koi Perich’s 27-yard interception return with 7:40 to play, which came seven seconds after Minnesota tied the score.
One positive: A rushing attack that produced 253 of Purdue’s 456 total yards, led by Devin Mockobee’s 98 yards on 21 carries.
Now comes a test against Northwestern (4-2, 2-1), which is coming off a stout defensive effort during last week’s 22-21 victory at Penn State. The Wildcats limited the Nittany Lions to 274 yards — 137 on the ground — with linebacker Mac Uihlein leading Northwestern with 10 tackles.
Purdue, meanwhile, was even tougher against Minnesota, holding the hosts to 30 rushing yards. Linebacker Charles Correa ranks third in the conference in tackles with 55.
Northwestern’s first victory at Penn State since 2014 led to the firing of Nittany Lions coach James Franklin — and gave the Wildcats their first three-game winning streak since closing the 2023 season on a four-game run.
Still, Wildcats coach David Braun has cautioned players to maintain focus. Northwestern can’t increase its streak to four games by reflecting on previous victories.
“You wake up Sunday morning,” Braun said, “it’s time to get back to work. … And when you’re objective, there are glaring issues we need to get resolved. Right now.
“You can squeeze that enjoyment into that evening, but if you’re not on to the next step when you’re in the midst of a Big Ten schedule, you’re exposing yourself to a letdown in this league. There can’t be any letdowns.”
Running back Caleb Komolafe has piled up 266 yards and four touchdowns during the three-game winning streak while quarterback Preston Stone has thrown for five scores with no interceptions.
Wildcats kicker Jack Olsen, who connected on each of his three field-goal attempts at Penn State, earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors.
