Wisconsin Badgers: Purdue Boilermakers Come To Town For Homecoming

The Wisconsin Badgers will look to build on last Saturday’s win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers with another Big Ten win, and will have that opportunity this weekend when the Purdue Boilermakers come to town.

The Badgers will celebrate Homecoming this week, and will look to make it a fun time for returning alumni with a Wisconsin win.

Here’s what you need to know about Wisconsin’s Homecoming opponent, the Purdue Boilermakers.

Wisconsin Badgers /

Wisconsin Badgers

Record: 1-5 (0-2 Big Ten)

Season so far: The Boilermakers opened the season with a 41-31 loss to Marshall, but bounced back with a 38-14 win over Indiana State. Since then, it’s been all downhill for Purdue as the Boilermakers closed out the non-conference season with a 51-24 loss to Virginia Tech and a 35-28 loss the Bowling Green.

The Boilermakers showed signs of life in the Big Ten opener, giving #2 Michigan State a game on the road but eventually falling 24-21. Last week the Boilermakers suffered a big home loss at the hands of Minnesota, 41-13.

Purdue is tied with Nebraska at 0-2 at the bottom of the Big Ten West.

Top players: Purdue has used a pair of quarterbacks extensively this season as pre-season starter Austin Appleby suffered a deep thigh bruise in the loss to Virginia Tech. Appleby has completed 54.5 percent of his passes this season for 669 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions.

While he has been out, David Blough has earned the start, completing 53.5 percent of his passes for 694 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. Blough is expected to start again Saturday, and Appleby may be available in a backup role.

More from Football

Senior wide receiver Danny Anthrop has been the Boilermakers most active receiver, grabbing 25 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown. Junior wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey leads the team with 318 yards on 17 catches. Junior receiver Cameron Posey and sophomore wideout Gregory Phillips each have 10 grabs and over 100 reception yards on the season, each has caught a big-play touchdown — Posey a 57-yarder and Phillips a 62-yarder.

Sophomore running back D.J. Knox has taken the most carries for the Boilermakers this season, rushing for 315 yards on 80 touches, scoring twice. He also leads the rest of the running backs in the passing game, hauling in 18 catches for 120 yards. Freshman RB Markell Jones has been more effective on the ground, taking 66 carries for 412 yards and five scores. Prior to his injury, Appleby had 73 yards and a pair of scores on 37 carries, and Blough has also scored a rushing touchdown, although he has just 18 yards on 29 carries.

The Boilermakers defense has several playmakers, including leading tackler and middle linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. Unfortunately for Purdue, Bentley was injured this week and might be out on Saturday. Sophomore defensive end Antoine Miles leads the team with four sacks, and junior linebacker Jimmy Herman has done some work in opposing backfields this season.

Outlook: The Boilermakers defense is injured and has been susceptible this season, which bodes well for a struggling Wisconsin offense. Purdue is giving up 431 yards and 34.3 points per game this season. The Boilermakers are giving up 216.5 yards per game on the ground and 214 through the air.

The Badgers, meanwhile, have been stellar on defense, and Purdue is scoring just over 25 points a game. The Badgers should be fired up to be back at home, and should be able to emerge with a Homecoming victory.

Next: B1G Power Rankings: Surprises at the Top