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WEST LAFAYETTE − Even with four games remaining, Purdue football’s 2024 season seems like a lost cause.
It was the same story last week. Two weeks ago. And three, four and five.
Except around the football facility on a daily basis, it seems like anything but.
“At the end of the day, we’re a competitive unit,” sophomore Will Heldt said. “We’ve got 100 competitive guys and we’re not going to quit.”
You can affix blame on the coaching staff for how this season is going.
More: CJ Smith helps Purdue football do something for first time since 2021 Music City Bowl
But one thing it’s done well is keep a locker room unified.
That is especially challenging in today’s world of college football. Programs, even winning ones, including national championship contenders, have players entering the transfer portal during the season, doing so early enough to maintain their year of eligibility.
That hasn’t happened at Purdue, even during a seven-game losing streak where some of those losses have been lopsided.
Purdue Boilermakers offensive lineman DJ Wingfield (55) helps up Purdue Boilermakers quarterback Hudson Card (1) Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, during the NCAA football game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Northwestern Wildcats won 26-20.
“Connection goes a long way. I feel like a program really can’t be ran without it,” said receiver CJ Smith, who as a transfer from Georgia, has experienced a winning culture. “It can be easy for people to sit here and hate on each other, but this is one true big family.
“I don’t see any type of bad blood or anything like that. Everyone wants to stay connected.”
It hasn’t been easy.
Head coach Ryan Walters admitted as much Saturday, after Purdue lost 26-20 in overtime to Northwestern. In fact, Walters said, “it’s hard.”
Walters, though, never strayed from his…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-football-season-continues-spiral-224958316.html
Author : Journal & Courier
Publish date : 2024-11-07 22:49:58
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