WEST LAFAYETTE — There was a different beat to Purdue football coach Ryan Walters who has undergone myriad of changes during what’s been an ever shifting second season in West Lafayette.
Walters fired former offensive coordinator Graham Harrell two weeks ago which then saw the loss of numerous recruits heading into a hopeful but still dissatisfying 50-49 overtime loss to Illinois
For all the faults in a season that has carried a fair share of disappointments, Purdue (1-5) showed last Saturday it hasn’t thrown in the towel.
“I was watching on ESPN the Friday before we played at dinner and the commentator was going through the games of the week, got to our game and said it’d be an easy win for Illinois because Purdue has quit on the season,” Walters said. “That bothered me. Not that we were picked to lose a game but the perception out there is that we quit on the season.”
Walters shared how he met with players in a team meeting that would ultimately spur a losing but spirited effort against the No. 23 ranked team in the country.
“Don’t ever let the perception be that you quit when things get tough when adversity hits,” Walters said. “In life as in football, adversity is guaranteed. At the bear minimum, it should be that you fight.”
Purdue trailed at halftime 24-3 and then showed a glowing sign of resilience. Quarterback Ryan Browne completed 18 of 26 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns and the Boilers sacked Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer five times.
While the 50 points allowed was more glaring signs of a struggling defense, it was at least a launching point for having unlocked even a glimmer of positivity. A defense that has allowed 28 points or more in each loss.
Senior linebacker Kydran Jenkins had the big game with 10 tackles including 2.5 tackles for loss.
“It’s football and it’s a game of inches right?,” Purdue defensive coordinator Kevin Kane said. “Anything we can do to help those inches get shorter, shorter and shorter and that’s what we have to deal with on a day to day. Whether that’s a scheming deal, lineman or personnel or whoever is lined up in the right spot. I think our guys have energy. You can see our guys jumping around, having fun and now that confidence has to carry over to every snap.”
Purdue gets the opportunity to put a wrench in the College Football Playoff when it faces No. 2 ranked Oregon on Friday at Ross-Ade Stadium.
More: Will Purdue football’s Ryan Browne start Friday against No. 2 Oregon?
Walters, traditionally a defensive coordinator will call the offensive plays for the second straight week while confirming that Browne will start, although there’s a chance Hudson Card could see action as well.
Both Browne and Card have earned Walters trust and noted how both of them possess leadership qualities that help programs win.
Now it’s a matter of putting all the pieces together and potentially shock the football world after a near upset last week against Illinois.
“They both have belief in themselves and I think as a leader if you don’t believe in yourself, it’s hard to get other people to follow,” Walters said. “They are also very intelligent individuals, have a plan and know how to get guys to execute that plan.”
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football coach Ryan Walters shares inner resilience before Oregon
