This week’s challenge for Purdue is to go into TCF Bank Stadium and face a 5-1 Minnesota Golden Gophers team who, with one more win, will become bowl eligible as it takes six wins to become bowl eligible. Darrell Hazell shows no sign of yanking the starting job from Austin Appleby because of his consistency over the last two weeks, even though Appleby turned the ball over twice against the Spartans.
B.J. Knauf will not start for the Boilers due to a shoulder injury he suffered against the Spartans. He already underwent season-ending surgery. That means DeAngelo Yancey will start in Knauf’s place.
As far as Appleby is concerned, he is expected to play better. He took the loss very hard last week, stating “the sack was on me.” The Gophers run similar plays to State, so Appleby will have to be careful when he throws the ball.
The Gophers enter Saturday’s tilt with the Boilers having nine interceptions on the season, so the Boilers will need to watch out so they don’t get picked.
