Purdue Boilermakers Reveal Starting Quarterback vs. Oregon Ducks

The Oregon Ducks will have a challenge on their hands when they face Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne.

Oct 5, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images / Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks defense now knows who to prepare for at quarterback when they travel to West Lafayette for Friday's Big Ten matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Purdue head coach Ryan Walters said Monday that quarterback Ryan Browne will start vs. No. 2 Oregon as Hudson Card continues to work his way back from a concussion.

"The way he played, it would be unfair not to," Walters said, per Nathan Baird of the Indy Star. "We’ll see about Hudson’s availability moving forward."

Oct 12, 2024; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne (15) runs with the ball in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images / Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Purdue, which currently sits at 1-5 this season after a crushing 50-49 overtime loss to No. 23 Illinois, is winless in Big Ten play. However, the Boilermakers seemed to have found a spark in Browne, who gave his team a chance against the Fighting Illini. Purdue trailed 27-3 with 10:57 left in the third quarter before Browne exploded, tossing three touchdowns from that point on to give the Boilermakers the lead with 46 seconds to play. Illinois was able to force overtime and eventually held on for the win.

Though Walters and Purdue likely aren't in the mood to hear about moral victories considering the way their season has gone, Browne's performance on the road against a ranked Illinois team should certainly be grabbing Oregon's attention. He finished that game 18 of 26 passing for 297 yards, three touchdowns and no picks while adding 17 carries for 118 yards with his legs. If he's able to carry at least some of that momentum against Oregon, the Ducks will have a tougher challenge on their hands than most might expect.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning will have to assure that human nature doesn't get the best of his team in preparation leading up to the game. Emotions are running high in Eugene, as the Ducks are coming off one of the biggest wins in program history after taking down the then-No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 32-31 on Saturday. On the other side, the Boilermakers have nothing to lose and will be laying it all on the line in order to take down one of the top teams in the country. Based on his recent play, Browne gives them the best shot to do just that.

Coach Dan Lanning celebrates amid a crowd of fans on the field as No. 3 Oregon knocked off No. 2 Ohio State 32-31 on Saturday at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Purdue will have the home crowd at its back, something that has certainly helped the Boilermakers in years past during upsets over No. 5 Michigan State in 2021 and in 2018 against No. 2 Ohio State.

No. 2 Oregon and Purdue will kick off from Rose-Ade Stadium on Friday at 5:00 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on FOX.

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