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WEST LAFAYETTE — There was a different beat to Purdue football coach Ryan Walters who has undergone myriad of changes during what’s been an ever shifting second season in West Lafayette.
Walters fired former offensive coordinator Graham Harrell two weeks ago which then saw the loss of numerous recruits heading into a hopeful but still dissatisfying 50-49 overtime loss to Illinois
For all the faults in a season that has carried a fair share of disappointments, Purdue (1-5) showed last Saturday it hasn’t thrown in the towel.
“I was watching on ESPN the Friday before we played at dinner and the commentator was going through the games of the week, got to our game and said it’d be an easy win for Illinois because Purdue has quit on the season,” Walters said. “That bothered me. Not that we were picked to lose a game but the perception out there is that we quit on the season.”
Walters shared how he met with players in a team meeting that would ultimately spur a losing but spirited effort against the No. 23 ranked team in the country.
Purdue Boilermakers head coach Ryan Walters talks to a player on the sideline in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini on Oct. 12, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.
“Don’t ever let the perception be that you quit when things get tough when adversity hits,” Walters said. “In life as in football, adversity is guaranteed. At the bear minimum, it should be that you fight.”
Purdue trailed at halftime 24-3 and then showed a glowing sign of resilience. Quarterback Ryan Browne completed 18 of 26 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns and the Boilers sacked Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer five times.
While the 50 points allowed was more glaring signs of a struggling defense, it was at least a launching point for having unlocked even a glimmer of positivity. A defense that has…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-football-coach-ryan-walters-002423376.html
Author : Journal & Courier
Publish date : 2024-10-15 00:24:23
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