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    • 3 takeaways as kettles are blown out by badgers
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    3 takeaways as kettles are blown out by badgers

    Vaseline Posted on

    MADISON, Wisc. — For the 18th straight time, Purdue football couldn’t overcome the Wisconsin funk.

    Of greater concern is the Boilermakers’ inability to escape the funk that has surrounded them this season. Wisconsin posted a 52-6 win at a sold-out Camp Randall Stadium.

    Purdue fell to 1-4 with its fourth straight loss. It hasn’t beaten Wisconsin since 2003.

    A week after battling Nebraska in the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers trailed Wisconsin by 36 after three quarters on Saturday.

    Purdue vs. Wisconsin Figures: Boilers’ downward spiral continues during the Madison meltdown

    Still stagnant Purdue offense

    In the wake of the firing of offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, Jason Simmons’ first game as a collegiate play-caller featured some new wrinkles.

    These changes did not change performance.

    Purdue might not have taken the ball in Wisconsin territory in the first half if not for two Kyndrich Breedlove interceptions at midfield. The offense drove both away and reached first and goal. Both times they settled for field goals.

    Considering special teams had already given away a touchdown on Dillon Thieneman’s muffed punt, that trend was clearly meaningless.

    Not surprisingly, Purdue’s offense didn’t change simply because it cut a struggling veteran offensive coordinator and promoted a rookie. It didn’t run or pass consistently and remained impotent on third down.

    The offensive problems could never be solved in one week. It still seems like a lengthy process in a rapidly shortening season.

    Purdue defensive buckles

    The defense couldn’t keep Wisconsin with its back against the wall until a turnover occurred after a special teams turnover. It couldn’t stop the Badgers from mounting a two-minute touchdown drive for a 21-6 halftime lead.

    When it gave up its second explosive passing touchdown of the game on Wisconsin’s opening drive of the second half, the Boilers were cooked. The Badgers came into the game as one of the few offenses with fewer big plays than Purdue’s. Not anymore.

    It doesn’t help that Markevious Brown, Antonio Stevens, Mo Omonode and CJ Madden – all expected to be major contributors in the preseason – didn’t play. Brown will not return this season after resigning due to what the team called “a personal matter.”

    Fair or not, this defense has been asked to play near perfection. On Saturday it was nowhere near.

    Purdue football signs of life

    You don’t have to squint to see positive things.

    Breedlove continues to look like a true playmaker on defense, and he got the takeaway schneid on defense. He also contributed a pair of pass breakups, including one to complete an early three-and-out.

    Jahmal Edrine’s quicker-than-expected return from a knee injury brought him back into the starting lineup. Card didn’t focus on him lavishly, but perhaps that connection can be reestablished in the second half of the season.

    Marginal progress, however, with little effect on the bottom line.

    Next up: a road trip to Illinois to take on a ranked team coming off a week’s rest.

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