Quarterback

Purdue’s Curtin Painter completed passes to 12 different receivers en route to throwing for 348 yards and six touchdowns. Eastern’s Cole Stinson was pressured all game and completed 47 percent of his passing attempts-down 25 percent from last week. Stinson threw for 143 yards.

Edge: Purdue

Running Backs

The Boilermakers’ tandem of Jaycen Taylor and Dan Dierking rushed for a combined 140 yards and one touchdown, and Purdue averaged 4.7 yards per rush as a team. Only Eastern’s Travorus Bess rushed for more than 15 yards for the Panthers as he compiled 70 yards on 11 carries. No Panther running back found the end zone.

Edge: Purdue

Receivers

With Painter having a career day, Purdue’s receivers thrived. Dorien Bryant caught 12 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, and half of tight end Dustin Keller’s receptions went for touchdowns. Jake Standeford caught one touchdown pass as well but will be better remembered for his devastating block on Eastern defensive back Ke’Andre Sams. Eastern’s receiver core did not repeat its success from last week’s game against Tennessee Tech. Micah Rucker led the way with six receptions for 74 yards.

Edge: Purdue

Offensive Line

Purdue’s pass blocking gave Painter plenty of time to sit back in the pocket and find an open receiver – something he accomplished 38 times. The Boilermakers were also able to make some progress on the ground thanks to decent run blocking. Eastern’s offensive line was unable to stop Purdue’s pass rush, and Stinson who was only sacked once was hurried on several more plays.

Edge: Purdue

Defensive Line

Purdue head coach Joe Tiller said one of his primary defensive goals was to pressure Stinson in the pocket. Stinson’s performance Saturday is mission accomplished for the Boilermakers. Eastern’s defensive line for the most part was ineffective. Pierre Walters recorded six tackles, one sack and forced a fumble, but as a whole, the Panthers’ line did not get pressure on Painter.

Edge: Purdue

Linebackers

Eastern’s preseason All-American middle linebacker Donald Thomas recorded 10 tackles and broke up one pass. The two other starting Panther linebackers combined for seven tackles. Purdue’s starting linebackers, on the other hand, combined for 19 tackles-three and a half for losses.

Edge: Purdue

Secondary

Eastern’s defensive backs routinely lined up 10 yards off the line of scrimmage. Purdue’s offense capitalized on that by throwing several successful screen passes. Purdue’s offense-they utilized a three-receiver formation often-spread Eastern’s secondary across the field. Purdue had single coverage on Rucker throughout most of the game, but managed to break up passes that would give Eastern some momentum. Purdue’s defensive backs didn’t make any big plays but kept Rucker from being a threat.

Edge: Purdue

Special Teams

This one would have been a tie had Eastern returner Quinten Ponius not fumbled Eastern’s first kick return. Both teams had success returning kicks as return men for each team had top returns of at least 30 yards. Ponius’s fumble seals the advantage for the Boilermakers.

Edge: Purdue

Coaching

Tiller said his primary defenses goals were to keep an eye on Rucker and get pressure on Stinson. Purdue succeeded in both those efforts. Stinson never found his rhythm offensively, and in turn, Rucker was not able to duplicate his output from the Tennessee Tech game. The Boilermakers’ offense also kept the Panthers’ defense guessing as twelve different receivers caught passes. Eastern head coach Bob Spoo’s return to his alma matter was not a successful one.

Edge: Purdue