Purdue kicks off Odom era with shutout of Ball State

The Barry Odom era is off to a successful start in West Lafayette. Purdue coasted to a 31-0 victory over Ball State in Ross-Ade Stadium.

Barry Odom became the first Purdue head coach to win his debut with the Boilermakers since Danny Hope and Purdue defeated Toledo 52-31 in 2009. The win also snaps the nation’s longest, and program’s longest, losing streak, as Purdue secured its first victory since the season opener last season, against Indiana State.

Purdue got out to a fast and furious start, reaching the end zone on its opening pair of possessions and three out of its first four on the day. Quarterback Ryan Browne connected with Arhmad Branch on a 51-yard strike for the first score of the Odom era before walking one in on his own on the second drive to hand the Boilermakers a 14-0 lead just over five minutes into the game.

In his debut as Purdue’s QB1, Browne dazzled in the victory, throwing for 311 yards and two touchdowns on 18-26 passing, while he dual-threat sophomore also added a score on the ground.

Devin Mockobee then found the end zone out of the wildcat on fourth down to push the lead to 21-0 in the first half. The veteran tailback was Purdue’s leading rusher on the day, going for 59 yards on 14 attempts. He eclipsed the 2,500 career rushing mark and had 104 all-purpose yards to pace the Boilermakers. Ryan Browne’s arm provided most of the punch for the Boilermaker offense on the day, with the ground game having 95 yards, compared to the 340 through the air.

Browne’s go-to target early was Branch, who crossed the 100-yard threshold in the first quarter, with three catches for 101 yards, making up nearly half of his 204 first half passing yards. Fellow pass catcher Michael Jackson III was the top receiving threat in the second half, finishing with six catches for 72 yards and a touchdown.

Mike Scherer’s defense was stifling all afternoon long, holding the Ball State attack out of the end zone and 203 total yards of offense. The Boilermakers accounted for three sacks and six tackles for loss, with CJ Madden, Jamarrion Harkless, Mani Powell, Breylon Charles and Sanders Ellis all getting in on the fun. Purdue limited Ball State quarterback Kiael Kelly to less than 87 passing yards in Ball State’s run-heavy offensive approach.

Ball State’s longest drive of the day did not come until late in the fourth quarter, but the Purdue defense got a key third down stop to force a field goal. Cardinals kicker Carson Holmer missed the 29-yard attempt for the Boilermakers to preserve the shutout.

The defense pitched its first blanking of an FBS opponent since the Boilermakers did so in September 2021, against Connecticut. Purdue had two since that day, both coming against FCS Indiana State.

Purdue moves to 1-0 on the young season with Saturday’s triumph over the Cardinals and will be back in action next Saturday night against Southern Illinois.