Up Next: Purdue Boilermakers

The Vanderbilt Commodores take their first road trip of the season this week, visiting Purdue.
Up Next: Purdue Boilermakers
Up Next: Purdue Boilermakers /

When the Vanderbilt Commodores and the Purdue Boilermakers meet Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium both teams will be looking for their first win of the season following tough opening game losses for both squads. 

 For Purdue and head coach Jeff Brohm his team took "the wagontrain" as the old saying goes to open the season last Friday night in Reno, Nevada versus the Nevada Wolfpack.

Aug 30, 2019; Reno, NV, USA; The Purdue Boilermakers sideline following a Nevada Wolf Pack touchdown in the fourth quarter at Mackay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Calvert-USA TODAY Sports

When all was said and done, the Wolfpack walked away with a 34-31 win over the favord Boilermakers thanks to a last-second 56 yard field goal.

Purdue quarterback Elijah Sindelar passed for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns in the loss. He also tossed 2 interceptions, which cause Brohm to question his toughness following the loss. 

Vanderbilt also fell in their season opener Saturday night as the Georgia Bulldogs left Nashville with a convincing 30-6 win over the Commodores. One could, and should when looking at this weeks matchup, make the valid point that Vandy played a much tougher opponent in their loss than did Purdue.

No one of sound mind and even marginal football knowledge would argue that, but then we all know that trying to compare opponents and games to decide whill will win a matchup is mostly just talk. That's why they play the games. 

Both teams have offensive weapons, including NFL caliber tight ends. 

The Commodores Jared Pinkney endered the season in some projections as a potential first round pick in next April's draft.

Purdue's Brycen Hopkins, who is from Nashville and played at Ensworth and is the son of former Tennessee Titans  All-Pro tackle Brad Hopkins. 

In the season opening loss, Hopkins was a productive part of the Boilermaker offense, grabbing six balls for 84 yards and a score. He is just part of the weapons in the Purdue arsenal. 

Reciever Rondale Moore, who is a big play waiting to happen lead all pass catchers in the loss, snagging 11 passed for 124 yards and a score. He is a dangeroud player that the Commodores defense must contain. 

If there is a negative about Moore, he is fumble prone at times including leaving two of the team's five fumbles on the ground against Nevada, losing one of the total three in the game.

Vanderbilt had no such issues and will counter Moore with Kalija Lipscomb who has the attention of "the league" as well. 

Where the Commodores have the advantage between the two offenses is at runningback where the Boilermakers have no one capable of taking over a game like Ke'Shawn Vaugh can for Vanderbilt. 

Defensively Vanderbilt held their own against Georgia, which might sound strange considering the final score, but the Dores "D" held the Dogs to just 9 second half points and were left on the field far too much by their sputtering offense.

Nevada managed 404 total yards versus Purdue's defense, with 295 of those yards coming through the air while the Pack, who are not a prolific running team rushed for 109 as a team.

Nevada managed to win in spite of 11 penalties for 95 yards and losing the time of possession by over two minutes. 

Purdue turnovers (five total- 3 fumbles, 2 interceptions) were the difference, and something we can expect will be getting lots of attention in practice this week. Vanderbilt can't count on that again this week.   

Still the Commodores have a great opportunity to grab a road win over a Power 5 opponent in this one. It comes down to the improvement of their offensive line this week.  

Kickoff for Staruday's game is scheduled for noon cst. at Ross-Ade Stadium and can be seen on the Big Ten Network.   


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Greg Arias
GREG ARIAS

A 29 year veteran of radio in the Middle Tennessee area and 16 years in digital and internet media having covered the Tennessee Titans for Scout Media and TitanInsider.com before joining the Sports Illustrated family of networks.