I feel like that running QB will give Purdue problems. Haven't seen anything like it in Big Ten. Only reason not to take Zona is their idiot coach.
Don’t have the stat handy but Purdue was awful at giving up big chunk/explosive plays on D
I assume splitting of snaps at QB for Zona. Tate has been kind of nursing a shoulder I think.
They've been splitting snaps. What they have been doing in bowl prep, I have no idea.
Now, Purdue hasn't been in a shootout since the Ohio game. The Louisville game had 63 points but in retrospect that isn't a lot in a UL game. At the same point, Purdue didn't face any top offenses that I can recall. Playing in the B1G West will do that to you.
Foster Farms Bowl: 5 Purdue players to watch vs. Arizona
Mike Carmin, Journal & Courier Published 9:23 a.m. ET Dec. 25, 2017 | Updated 11:02 a.m. ET Dec. 25, 2017
Journal & Courier Purdue insiders Nathan Baird and Mike Carmin and host Clayton Duffy on Jeff Brohm's signing day haul. Nathan Baird/Journal & Courier
Another solid defensive game from the Boilermakers is needed against the Wildcats
SAN FRANCISCO – Five Purdue players to watch in Wednesday’s Foster Farms Bowl against Arizona at Levi’s Stadium:
JA’WHAUN BENTLEY
The talented senior's final game. Missed the Old Oaken Bucket victory but the Boilermakers picked up their captain and gave him one more game. Expect a big performance. Led the defense in tackles and is poised to add to his total. He’s played well most of the season and has stepped up with big plays throughout this surprising turnaround by the defense. Benefited from the play of Purdue’s front – including Gelen Robinson, Lorenzo Neal and Danny Ezechukwu – and plugged the holes most of the time. Has a tough task in trying to corral quarterback Khali Tate and Arizona’s potent running attack.
MARKELL JONES
One of the few healthy running backs on the roster. The Boilermakers have lost Tario Fuller and Richie Worship to injuries and D.J. Knox is coming off thumb surgery but is expected to contribute in some capacity. Jones enjoyed a monster outing against Indiana, rushing for 217 yards on 31 carries. He didn’t score a touchdown but it didn’t matter because Purdue had enough points to win the game. Jones missed most of the first four games due to a knee injury and the running back rotation has kept the 2014 Indiana Mr. Football fresh down the stretch. If the Boilermakers have the lead in the second half, expect a heavy dose of Jones to eat up yards and clock.
Markell Jones gets past Antonio Shenault of Minnesota for a touchdown with 1:17 remaining Saturday, October 7, 2017, at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue defeated Minnesota 31-17 in a game delayed by weather. (Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)
DANNY EZECHUKWU
Another senior defender playing in his final game. Lots of seniors on this defense, which has enjoyed a historic turnaround in points given up and rushing yards allowed. Ezechukwu played a big role in making the defense the storyline of the season. Playing the Leo position – a hybrid end – Ezechukwu registered five sacks and recovered three fumbles, a sign he’s always around the ball. With a month to prepare, look for Nick Holt to dig deep in his bag of schemes to use Ezechukwu and other defenders to confuse Tate.
ELIJAH SINDELAR
Another chance to solidify the No. 1 quarterback position going into the 2018 season. He’s played well since ascending to the top spot after David Blough suffered a dislocated ankle against Illinois. Just one interception the last three games along with eight touchdown passes in that time frame.
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Appeared regulated to the No. 2 position before Blough’s injury but his experience from earlier in the season paid off. He’s confident and his receivers are starting to make plays down the field. Arizona’s defense is young and probably a year or two away from becoming a force in the Pac-12. With the help of coach Jeff Brohm, Sindelar should have opportunities to make big plays.
Purdue wide receiver Anthony Mahoungou with a pass reception in the fourth quarter against Louisville Saturday, September 2, 2017, in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Louisville defeated Purdue 35-28. (Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)
ANTHONY MAHOUNGOU
Was benched following the loss to Rutgers where the dropped passes outweighed the catches. Was back on the field against Iowa after Jared Sparks suffered an ankle injury and couldn't go in the second half. However, a five-play sequence resulting in two touchdowns defined his season and gives the Wildcats a weapon to cover. Is playing with a high level of confidence and Mahoungou seems to thrive under those circumstances. He is the big-play threat in the passing game and has developed a strong chemistry with Sindelar.
BONUS: JOE SCHOPPER
Do you think special teams coordinator Tony Levine won’t have something ready for the bowl game? You can count on it. Purdue’s punter is 2-for-2 passing for 44 yards and has one rush for 13 yards. Just the idea of a trick play has probably kept Arizona coaches looking at film.
Foster Farms Bowl: 5 Arizona players to watch vs. Purdue
Mike Carmin, Journal & Courier Published 5:12 a.m. ET Dec. 24, 2017
The Wildcats feature plenty of weapons on offense to challenge Purdue's defense
SAN FRANCISO - Five Arizona players to watch in Wednesday’s Foster Farms Bowl matchup against Purdue at Levi's Stadium:
KHALIL TATE
The No. 1 priority for the Boilermakers. Since taking over the quarterback spot full-time from Brandon Dawkins, Tate has produced eye-popping numbers, especially on the ground. The stretch started with a 327 -yard rushing performance on just 14 carries along with completing 12 of 13 passes for 153 yards at Colorado in early October. He rushed for more than 200 yards three times and has accounted for more than 2,500 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns in the last eight games. Compared to Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, who the Boilermakers faced in the season opener after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Tate is already on the early watch lists for the 2018 Heisman Trophy.
COLIN SCHOOLER
Coach Rich Rodriguez was committed to playing several young players when the season started. He’s one example of a true freshman taking charge and has shown a knack for making game-changing plays. Fair or not, Schooler was compared to former Arizona standout linebacker Scooby Wright. The middle linebacker was named the Pac-12 Conference’s Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, finishing second on the Wildcats in tackles with 88 behind another freshman, Tony Fields II. Schooler also produced a team-high 13 tackles for loss in just nine conference games. Despite his youth, a playmaker to watch and someone the Boilermakers will have to contend with on nearly every play.
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Shun Brown (6) runs the ball against the Utah Utes during the first half at Arizona Stadium. (Photo: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports)
SHUN BROWN
When Tate goes to the air, he’s looking in the direction of the junior. Brown led the Wildcats in receptions (39) and receiving yards (511) and was the only Arizona player to make at least one catch in 11 of the 12 games. He made a total of 33 catches in his first two years but has stepped up and become a threat to give the Wildcats a balanced attack.
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Another area Brown can hurt the Boilermakers – punt returns. He ran back two punts for touchdowns in the first three games and had a third called back. His presence will challenge Purdue special teams coordinator Tony Levine, punter Joe Schopper and the coverage unit to keep Brown in check.
KYLAN WILBORN
Staying with the freshman theme on defense, the end/linebacker who plays the Stud position has made a big first impression. Wilborn led all Power 5 freshmen in sacks with 7.5, including four against UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen. He’s also helped the Wildcats create turnovers with four forced fumbles. Arizona has forced 24 turnovers this season, multiple ones in eight of the 12 games, allowing the offense to score 70 points. Wilborn could make life difficult for either left tackle Eric Swingler or right tackle David Steinmetz if the Boilermakers don’t keep the California native from pressuring quarterback Elijah Sindelar.
J.J. TAYLOR
While Tate has received a bulk of the attention in the Wildcats ranking third nationally in rushing – behind Army and Navy – don’t forget about Taylor. He gained 828 yards on the ground. He’s a workhorse with 136 carries, proving his durability. He earned the Pac-12 Conference Co-Freshman Player of the Year after totaling seven touchdowns, including five on the ground. The redshirt freshman saw his 2016 season cut short after suffering a broken ankle in the fourth game last year. The 5-foot-6 Taylor enters the bowl game averaging 6.1 yards per carry.
Arizona Wildcats quarterback Khalil Tate (14) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the Territorial Cup at Sun Devil Stadium. (Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
These things are making me consider the game underI agree, which is why I don't like a side here. I don't trust the Purdue O, even if the Zona D is a sieve. Just not sure I see Zona getting to 35+.
Should be an interesting game to watch.
These things are making me consider the game under
seeing the same, but it is still up on bovadaThis game is not on 5Dimes menu when I just looked. Anyone know why?
It's near the bottom. Rotation #275-276This game is not on 5Dimes menu when I just looked. Anyone know why?
3 in 1st halfPurdue should have a full assortment of trick plays, Brohm likes them.
3 in 1st half
Could see it from a mile away. Well all but the UA coaching staff. It was so obvious.The fake kneel down, ala bumarooskie inspired play, was pretty sweet.