Purdue (3-0, 0-0 Big10) welcomes the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1, 0-0 Big10) to West Lafayette Saturday for the team’s Homecoming and Big Ten Conference opener and noon kickoff on ESPN2.
The Boilermakers have had an easy go of it in early 2006 action by defeating three cup-cake opponents, all at West Lafayette, and putting up an average of 45 points in the three games. On the down side, the Boilermakers defense gave up an average of 31 points in the three games including 35 points to Division 1AA Indiana State. Minnesota
In similar fashion, the Golden Gophers easily defeated opponents they were expected to defeat winning at Kent State 44-0 and Temple 62-0 in Minneapolis, but struggled against PAC-10 member California in Berkeley 42-17. Perhaps the Gophers watched Cal’s poor performance at Tennessee on Sept. 2.
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Both Purdue and Minnesota possess explosive offenses but who’s defenses are still in the developing stage. It seems Minnesota’s defense is more developed than Purdue’s since they shut out two of its three opponents.
Minnesota head coach Glenn Mason knows what to expect from the Purdue offense. “Once again, Purdue has a very, very high powered offense.” Mason said.” Some way Joe Tiller always seems to come up with an outstanding quarterback. Curtis Painter is no exception in that long line of quarterbacks we’ve had to face. They have a very exciting wide receiver, the very fast Dorien Bryant. He’s a very dangerous guy. He can take it the distance and they do a lot of things with him.
Leading the offense for Purdue is 6’4” Sophomore Chris Painter who after three games in 2006 is 64-for-101 for 897- yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions for an average of 299 yards per game. Through three games sophomore speedster Dorien Bryant. Leading the ground game for Purdue is Sophomore Kory Sheets who has rushed 45 times for 245 yards and an 82-yard per game average.
The leader on offense for the Golden Gophers is Senior Brian Cupito who through three games has thrown 56 times completing 37 for 537 yards. The run game is led by sophomore running back Alex Daniels and junior Amir Pennix. Daniels leads in total yards gained at 277 however Pennix is the per carry leader with an average of eight –yards per carry. If you look at their offense, they’re ranked nationally in so many categories it’s scary. Defensively, they’re much like us. They are young and still trying to find themselves and they are good in the kicking game.”
The Boilermakers have a 43-62-5 record in their opening Big Ten game, dating to 1896. They have won eight of their nine conference openers under Joe Tiller, only losing at Minnesota 42-35 in double overtime in 2005. Purdue has opened with Minnesota 20 times previously with an 8-10-2 record including a 4-2 mark in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers are 4-1 when opening conference play against Minnesota under Tiller, including a 3-0 in West Lafayette. The Las Vegas line favors Minnesota –3 in a game that (on paper) should produce plenty of points with the total set at 64.
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