Purdue offense can't solve Ryan Walters' test in loss to Washington

WEST LAFAYETTE — All that good will Purdue football built up the last two weeks.

The Boilermakers reverted to their old selves in Friday night’s 38-26 loss to Washington at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Exiled former Purdue coach Ryan Walters had the last laugh as Huskies defensive coordinator, now 2-0 against the Boilermakers fired him after the 2024 season.

Washington did it with a three-touchdown day from backup quarterback Elijah Brown and a rushing attack that hasn’t existed all season until seeing Purdue on the other side of the line of scrimmage.

The Boilermakers now enter an idle week with more questions after it appeared they’d turned a corner in wins over Illinois and Minnesota.

Here’s how Purdue’s Friday night performance stacks up in the classroom.

OFFENSE GRADE: C

Take away Antonio Harris’ 60-yard run, which was all about him keeping a play alive and not anything blocking wise that sprung him, and Purdue had a nonexistent run game. Ryan Browne challenged defensive backs in single coverage and eventually it backfired. An interception with the game still in the balance essentially wiped away any chance of a Purdue comeback win. The Boilers turned the ball over on downs three times, including its first possession of the game.

DEFENSE GRADE: D

Welcome back to college football season, Purdue defense of games one through four. It’s really tough to earn this low of a grade with three interceptions, but the Boilermakers managed. Washington started its backup quarterback, entered averaging 26.2 points, 369.8 yards and 90.3 rushing yards per game. Knock out FCS opponent Eastern Washington (a 48-16 Huskie win) and those numbers are even worse. By halftime, the Huskies had 24 points, 302 yards and 125 rushing yards. Then they played two more quarters to pile on.

SPECIAL TEAMS GRADE: B+

What a weapon Purdue has in freshman kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano, who may end up a first-team all-conference player. Lozano made two field goals, including a career-long 48, Washington’s kickoff return team brought two kicks out and ended up stymied at the 19 and 21. For the second week in a row, Dylan Drennan’s knuckle punt helped result in a turnover when it took a funky bounce of a Washington blocker’s foot and was recovered by Don Saunders. Docking the Boilers slightly here for two special teams penalties, including a late hit on a touchback.

COACHING GRADE: D

Purdue did deal with the chess match of having to prepare for two quarterbacks. That’s not an excuse. The Boilermakers also had one less day of preparation than Washington, which played a second consecutive Friday night game. Where the biggest gripe comes with this

GAME MVP: Trey Cooley

Trey Cooley had 25 carries for 52 yards all season. The sixth-year Washington running back, who had previous stints at Louisville, Georgia Tech and Troy, totaled 113 yards on 8 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue offense can’t solve Ryan Walters’ test in loss to Washington