Opponent Player Watch: QB David Blough

6’1 205LBs Jr.

The Purdue Boilermakers have improved in 2017 with a 3-3 record and one of the reasons is their starting quarterback David Blough. Purdue is ranked 57^th in passing which is somewhat respectable, averaging 246.6 per game. New head coach Jeff Brohm transformed David Blough’s throwing and decision making which makes him very dangerous against Rutgers. Blough improved his game in 2016 when it comes to accuracy from 57.1% to 68.9% which is a tremendous leap in improvement. His QB rating is 149.9, he has thrown for 688 yards and 7 TD's. He does have 4 INT's on his resume, which indicates that he can be careless with the ball from time to time. He only averages 0.7 per carry, as Blough is your traditional pocket passer. Though he may lack mobility, his strengths are reading the defense and executing his hot reads for big plays.

How to Stop David Blough

Pocket passers may know how to throw the pigskin, but they typically are not a running threat. The key to mitigate David Blough’s progress is make the pocket uncomfortable. This responsibility belongs to the seven front on Rutgers. The defensive line must pressure Purdue’s offensive line to limit Blough's throws on delivery and force him to move out of the pocket. Pocket passers love timing and repetition in their throws. Blitz packages and bringing consistent pressure on the offensive line will cause the quarterback to make a hasty throw or force him to throw the ball out of bounds.

Purdue’s run game is ranked 107^th and only averages 124.5 yards per contest. Purdue is a pass first offense, which stresses the need for Rutgers to accumulate multiple sacks on Blough. Kemoko Turay, Sebastian Joseph, and Deonte Roberts are the three players I will be watching to see if they can manifest an impact. I am also paying attention to Jawuan Harris who was called to duty for a shorthanded group of safeties and he did a good job during the victory over Illinois. Can he repeat the effort? Rutgers will need the whole defense to step up this week if they want to beat Purdue.

Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports