A Purdue staff roundtable debated its struggling defense, with contributors blaming coordinator Kevin Kane or the scheme and some also citing players’ missed tackles and penalties. Purdue has allowed 36 points per game through three games.
Jed said the performance echoed Purdue’s 2023 and 2024 defenses under Kane. He cited a season in which the defense allowed 39.9 points and 200 rushing yards per game, and said Purdue was allowing 45 points per game across its two FBS games when Indiana State’s 19 points were excluded.
Travis cited repeated third- and fourth-and-long conversions, including a fourth-and-14 against Wake Forest, as evidence of scheme problems. He said Purdue looked better than in the previous two seasons despite a 1-2 record; Casey said the defense had not looked good in the offseason and blamed coaches.
