Purdue football faced dual threat QBs before, prepped for Washington's Demond Williams Jr
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WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue football‘s defense has dealt with mobile quarterbacks before and been relatively successful.
Pocket passers have at times picked the Boilermakers apart, though.
On Saturday, they’ll see Washington’s Demond Williams Jr., who can beat teams with both his legs and his arm.
“He’s most talented when he’s been able to move and run,” Purdue defensive coordinator Mike Scherer said. “His arm talent when he’s on the run is extremely good, too.”
Williams ranks fifth in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (250.1), fourth in yards per attempt (8.8), and third in completion percentage (71.8). He also has nearly 500 rushing yards and averages 4.5 yards per carry, which is even more impressive when you take into account that Washington has given up 22 sacks.
Opposing quarterbacks against Purdue this season are averaging just 1.5 yards per carry, though, when adjusted for sacks, that number increases to 4.3.
Williams will be the fourth dual-threat quarterback Purdue has faced this season. Only one quarterback to date has rushed for more than three yards per carry.
It is, however, the one whose game most resembles Williams – Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, who gained 44 yards on 7 carries in the Wolverines‘ 21-16 win over Purdue on Nov. 1.
“We know (Williams) likes to scramble a lot,” Purdue safety Vi’Naz Cobb said. “We’ve just got to play with leverage and trust your teammates to all gang to the ball and tackle.”
That Michigan outing may register as Purdue’s best defensive performance of the season despite Underwood’s success with his legs. The Boilers were able to mix up looks and create confusion for Michigan’s offense.
It seemed to be a night where defensive communication, an issue throughout Purdue’s current eight-game losing streak, was shored up.
Ohio State gained 473 yards against Purdue, but the Boilermakers noticeably eliminated many of the issues it had seen in games one through eight, leading up to Game 9 at Michigan.
Now, facing a quarterback that can beat teams in multiple facets, Purdue may be better equipped for the challenge.
“You’ve got to be really smart in your rush lanes because if you get past the quarterback, he can make things happen,” Purdue head coach Barry Odom said. “I think he’s got great speed. When you combine that with elite quickness, that can put you in a bind really quick.”
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: What challenge is ahead for Purdue football’s defense at Washington?
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