GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Ohio State’s defense likely will be challenged to slow down Purdue’s efficient offense. The Boilermakers are ranked 10th nationally in total offense (510.2 yards per game) and No. 7 in passing offense (330.8 ypg). Purdue QB David Blough ranks No. 15 among FBS teams in passing (282.5 ypg) and completion percentage (.684), No. 20 in total offense (290.8 ypg) and No. 21 in pass efficiency (160.1). The Boilermakers also have the No. 2 receiver in the Big Ten with Rondale Moore (45 catches, 558 yards, five touchdowns), who is additionally a dynamic kick returner.
Ohio State’s pass defense is seventh in the Big Ten (221.6 yards per game) and eighth in total defense (369.6 ypg). Last week against Minnesota, Ohio State’s secondary was victimized by slant patterns across the middle in the first half before making adjustments necessary to take away those plays in the second half.
DRAFT SLANT
–WR K.J. Hill improved his draft stock last week with his career-high nine catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns, including an amazing one-handed that displayed his athleticism. NFLDraftScout.com’s Rob Rang cited the redshirt junior on his list of five players from last weekend that most impressed NFL scouts. Rang compared Hill to Cleveland Browns WR Jarvis Landry. “Like Landry, Hill lacks ideal straight-line speed, but he is a quality athlete with excellent body control, a compact build and, of course, excellent hands. Given all of the talent in Columbus, perhaps it is not surprising that Hill often gets overshadowed making grabs like this one as the Buckeyes quietly roll along to 7-0 certainly has scouts’ attention.”
ROSTER REPORT:
–DE Nick Bosa has been out since the third game of the season after having core muscle surgery, but Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday that he’s optimistic the All-American will be back before the end of the season. “He’s going to — I believe he’s flying back up there tomorrow to get rechecked. I’m hoping,” Meyer said. Bosa is one of the top players in the country and projected as a top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
–OL Thayer Munford left Saturday’s game against Minnesota with an ankle injury and coach Urban Meyer said Monday that “Thayer is sore. I’d say probable for the game Saturday” against Purdue.
–K Sean Nuernberger suffered a muscle strain in warmups before last week’s game against Minnesota and was replaced by kickoff specialist Blake Haubeil. Whether Haubeil replaces Neurnberger for Saturday’s game against Purdue and going forward is “open for discussion,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said Monday. “I don’t know with Sean yet. He was doing pretty good.”
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