Has Devin Mockobee played his last game for Purdue football? Status on RB's future unclear
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ANN ARBOR, Michigan — The last time Devin Mockobee missed a Purdue football game was Sept. 2, 2022.
It was a coach’s decision with Mockobee, a walk-on redshirt freshman deep on the depth chart for the Boilermakers‘ season opener against Penn State.
Since then, Mockobee had played in 45 consecutive games.
That streak ended Saturday, matching the jersey number of the Boilermaker fan favorite.
Mockobee was ruled out with an injury against No. 21 Michigan.
Needing just 13 rushing yards to become the fourth player in Purdue history with 3,000 in his career, will the former walk-on turned standout running back play another game for the Boilermakers?
“I’m not sure yet,” Purdue coach Barry Odom said after the Boilermakers’ 21-16 loss at Michigan Saturday.
Purdue has three games remaining and an idle week between the final two games. The Boilermakers conclude theri season Friday, Nov. 29 against Indiana, which would be Mockobee’s senior night.
Mockobee got his opportunity in 2022 after injuries forced him into the lineup. He finished that season with 1,242 yards and 9 touchdowns, helping Purdue make its only Big Ten Championship game appearance.
This season, Mockobee is Purdue’s leading rusher with 521 yards.
“Any time you lose a four year starter that’s a captain, that’s a leader of the team and his void of him not being here, I think that would always be amiss,” Odom said.
Without Mockobee, the roles of Malachi Thomas and Antonio Harris are expanded.
Those two accounted for both Purdue touchdowns and totaled 122 rushing yards on Saturday.
“It’s tough to see my guy go down,” Harris said. “Coach always says next man up. I am just glad that coach trusts me and they put me in that position. I was kind of hurt for my guy but excited about the opportunity.”
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: Will Devin Mockobee return for Purdue football? Coach uncertain
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