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football Offensive Coordinator John Shoop Defensive Coordinator Greg Hudson Where's The Rush? BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com Shoop wanted his ofJohn after havingtothe lead gofense to be able finish. But ing into the fourth quarter, the Boilermakers not only squandered the advantage to the Fighting Irish but lost the game. Purdue's offense had 90 yards in the final quarter and only one was rushing. The Boilermakers' lone fourth-quarter touchdown drive spanned 75 yards, meaning their three other opportunities gained only 15. "Our guys had some production for three quarters, and we still have a lot of work to do," said Shoop, Purdue's offensive coordinator. "What we've got to do is have a little bit of mental endurance, that we couldn't finish that thing off. The defense needed us out there a few times and we went three-and-out. We've got some things to build on, but we've got a long way to go and we've just got to keep our heads down and work our tails off and we're doing that." Probably the biggest area of needed improvement is in the rushing game, which generated only 38 yards on 21 carries vs. the Irish. Purdue had only four attempts in the fourth quarter for that yard. Shoop said he thought the Boilermakers were more physical, but … "I thought we were probably better in protection than we were in the run game," he said. "We need to be physical not just in the O-line but with our tight ends and our backs. They've got to be physical with the ball in their hands and rip through some arm tackles. Until three becomes five and five becomes seven and seven becomes, you know, first downs, we're not going to be what we want. We've just got to keep at it. We can be a lot more physical still." Hitting It Deep Purdue had one deep throw Saturday, when Rob Henry hit Tom Campbell Shane Mikesky for a 48-yard gain in the The Boilermakers' rush defense held Notre Dame under 100 yards rushing for the second straight year. That is not a common occurrence in the series between the two Indiana schools. fourth quarter. to make them defend the en- 23 of their 45 chances, a 51.1 perBut otherwise, the Boilermakers had few plays over tire field, not just between the cent conversion rate. That ranks the top. In an effort to keep op- hashes or between the numbers. last in the Big Ten, more than six ponents from crowding the line We've got to do it, and we've got percentage points lower than the of scrimmage, which Notre Dame to find ways to get the ball down 11th-place team. Defensive coordinator Greg and others have done, Shoop the field for sure." Hudson says the problems are says Purdue has to get better in Solving Third Down multiple. its vertical passing game. Purdue allowed Notre Dame "Everybody has a piece in "No doubt, a lot more, a lot to convert 11 of its 16 third it," he said. "I've got a piece of it. more," he said. "That was a good play, but it could have been a downs, a disturbing trend early Guys at different positions do, but it starts with me. I've got to touchdown if we got it out in in the season. The Boilermakers have let make sure I'm making the right front of him. Yeah, we've got to lengthen the field, we've got opponents gain first downs on decision before I open my big GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 4 • 20