#18 PURDUE DOMINATES COYOTES DESPITE INJURIES
A Purdue halfback hurdles a UPA defensive back in garbage time, to make the score 35-7.
Until the Coyotes learn how to play football in the red zone, they will not win a game. The bad execution inside the 20 continued, as Hector Morris overthrew an open Kirk Caldwell and Purdue got another pick to start the game. It was Morris' 8th pick of the season, not to mention the 8 his backup has thrown (mostly in garbage time or desperate situations.)
Purdue was much more ineffective offensively than other teams in the first half, as third-string QB Kyle Smith struggled to find his receivers early.
However, that didn't matter much once the hog-mollies up front started to push, and Purdue ran all over UPA. They roared out to a quick 14-0 lead, burning a lot of clock combined with long, slow Coyote drives which failed to yield any points.
Coach Goss spoke to the team at halftime, and really got them fired up. They marched right down the field and scored. However, Hector Morris' foot was injured on a late hit, and he was out for the rest of the game.
Backup Keenan Caldwell, brother of Kirk, led the team right down the field in wake of a Purdue 3-&-out, and they found themselves with a chance to tie the game.
But as with many previous picks on the season, the next one due to a tipped pass came in the opponent's territory, and turned what was supposed to be a close game into a rout. The Boilermakers kept on getting the ball, and elected to keep their starters in and throw rather than play conservatively.
The Coyotes had several opportunities to turn the game around, but could not come up with the big pick when it mattered, seen below. Smith looked like Tom Brady, firing passes perfectly and absolutely picking apart the defense.
Two sure interceptions result in big Purdue gains, during what was a defensive embarrassment for UPA last Saturday in West Lafayette.
From there, the Coyotes simply tried to run out the clock. They punted, Purdue drove and scored. The defense was helpless to stop the Boilermaker passing attack, which had all day to throw, even on blitzes.
When the final gun sounded, the score was 45-7.
Purdue continues its undefeated season, and hopes to continue its success in B1G play starting next week. The Coyotes will face easier opponents the rest of the way, hosting Temple next week.
Stay strong, Coyote fans, Morris returns next week, and the hardest team remaining is a subpar Wake Forest squad.