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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Opposing Viewpoint - Purdue
10/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Each week during the football season, GopherSports.com will bring you the opposing viewpoint by talking to a member of the media who covers Minnesota's opponent for that week. This week, we're joined by Mike Carmin of the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind.
Carmin has worked at the Journal and Courier for the past 21 years. He is in his first season covering the Purdue football team as a beat writer. But he has covered Boilermaker athletics for nearly two decades.
GopherSports.com: Coming off a big win at Northwestern, what's the feeling around the Boilermaker program?
Mike Carmin: New life. Purdue had lost to Toledo, lost its starting quarterback and appeared headed nowhere. The Boilermakers used to the bye week to regroup and utilize its remaining personnel on offense. Quarterback Rob Henry's running ability has given a boost to an offense that lacks playmakers right now. Henry also led the Boilermakers on the game-winning drive against Northwestern after the offense had sputtered most of the second half.
GopherSports.com: Purdue has been dealt a rough hand with injuries this season. What's your take on how they have handled it?
Mike Carmin: Very well up to this point. The injuries started in the spring when Purdue lost running back Ralph Bolden, last year's leading rusher, to a knee injury. Top receiver Keith Smith suffered a knee injury against Western Illinois and quarterback Robert Marve tore his ACL against Toledo. In that same game, receiver Justin Siller sprained his foot and is out another two weeks. All of the major injuries have been on offense. The offensive line, though, has remained intact, which I think is a big positive.
GopherSports.com: Who/what has the Boilers' attention this week?
Mike Carmin: Probably Minnesota's running game. The Gophers have struggled recently, but are capable of reverting back to their early season form when they rushed for 200 or more yards in back-to-back games. Although Purdue held Northwestern to under 100 yards on the ground, Minnesota is more committed to the run. Last year, the Gophers rushed for more than 200 yards against the Boilermakers.
GopherSports.com: Minnesota has seemed to have Purdue's number the last couple years. Do you expect to see more of the same?
Mike Carmin: I expect a close game, based on both offenses lacking firepower right now. The Gophers have more playmakers on offense and could control the game with their offensive line. But Minnesota has never won back-to-back games at Ross-Ade Stadium and that's what they're trying to do after the victory there in 2008.
GopherSports.com: Who should Minnesota fans keep an eye on for the Boilermakers?
Mike Carmin: Defensively, Ryan Kerrigan. The end leads the nation with 13 tackles for loss and has 5.5 sacks. Kerrigan could be a first-round pick in next spring's NFL draft. He has a motor that doesn't quit. Offensively, quarterback Rob Henry, who made his first career start last week. He's more of a runner, but Henry will have to be effective in the passing game to keep the offense moving.
GopherSports.com: What will be the key to victory in this game?
Mike Carmin: Minnesota's ability to slow down Purdue's running game. The Gophers haven't done well against the run this season,and they can't let the Boilermakers establish an early ground game.
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