Grades reflect Purdue football progress shown in double OT loss to Wake Forest

WEST LAFAYETTE — Did Purdue football reignite its fan base on Saturday afternoon?

Or did the Boilermakers leave more to be desired in their 38-36 double-overtime loss to Wake Forest at Ross-Ade Stadium?

Purdue (1-1) was inches away from ending a string of 20 losses to Power Four programs, but fell victim to the Demon Deacons when quarterback Gio Lopez waltzed in for a game-winning 2-point conversion.

How did Purdue's performance grade out?

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Settling for field goals sets Purdue offense back

Offense:B+

Purdue had an easy six points waiting in the end zone at the end of the first half. Ryan Browne didn't see it and instead threw to De'Nylon Morrissette on the sideline, who caught the ball but was out of bounds. Purdue settled for a red zone field goal, which is becoming a recurring theme through two games. Wake Forest isn't as easy to make up mistakes against as Indiana State was. Between those four points Purdue could've added at the end of the half and a long missed field goal on a drive that was doomed by a fumbled snap, the Boilermakers left points out there. After a disastrous third down in overtime, Purdue atoned for it with a 9-yard touchdown toss to Morrissette to keep its hopes alive.

Soft spots in Purdue defense give Wake Forest scoring opportunities

Defense: B-

There's far too many soft spots in Purdue's defense and for the second week in a row, it led to too many big gains. And the Boilermakers haven't even faced the best offenses on their schedule yet. There were improvements after halftime, but in the game's pivotal defensive moment, with Wake Forest pinned at the 1 with a 20-13 lead, the Demon Deacons moved into field goal range in just four plays. When the defense had to come through, it forced a three-and-out (assisted by two drops) to give Purdue a chance to have a go-ahead drive late. Wake Forest scored just six points in the second half. Coverage was blown on Wake Forest's touchdown in the first overtime, which was a late blemish after a promising second half turnaround. You can't give up 15 yards on a fourth-and-15 with the game on the line.

Special teams again looks strong for Purdue

Special teams: B+

Jacobo Echeverria Lozano is a weapon. Yeah, he missed a 49-yard field goal wide left but it's a situation that he shouldn't have been in had Purdue not botched a snap that essentially doomed a drive. The Lozano-Dylan Drennan combo at kicker and punter looks like a strong point for Purdue and you can add kickoff specialist Seth Turner in that mix, too.

Recap: Who won Purdue-Wake Forest football game shootout in 2OT today? Score, stats

Coordinators find groove to help Purdue rally vs Wake Forest

Coaching:B+

Offensive coordinator Josh Henson pushed the right buttons at the right moments. Same came be said for defensive coordinator Kevin Kane after a slow start. Penalties remain a cause for concern. Still, don't knock too harshly here on a team that looks like it's made tremendous strides from its first game to its second. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly progress.

Fame Ijeboi is a budding star for Purdue football

Player of the Game: Fame Ijeboi

Running back Fame Ijeboi leaving Minnesota and joining Purdue is a Boilermaker blessing. In just two games, he looks like Purdue's best running back in a long time. Ijeboi had 156 yards, including 114 on the ground and scored three touchdowns.

Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar's Boilermakers newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Grades reflect Purdue football progress shown in double OT loss to Wake Forest

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