Purdue Football: Offensive Line Finally Finds Success
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — An offensive line that had been struggling mightily showed new life during Saturday’s 40-14 victory over Maryland.
The Terrapins were only able to get one sack, and that one can be put on starting quarterback Jack Plummer for holding onto the ball too long.
“I was proud of our offensive line,” Purdue coach Jeff Brohm said. “We only gave up one sack, so that was good to see.”
Changes made by Brohm and the rest of the coaching staff played a big part in the group’s success.
“We did a few things to help our guys, and I think that did help as well,'' Brohm said. "But I think our guys played hard,” Brohm said.
After allowing a season-high 10 sacks the week before against Penn State, personnel changes were made at some of the offensive line positions leading up to the Maryland game. Purdue had three new starters, with Sam Garvin at center, Mark Stickford at left guard, and Eric Miller at right tackle.
All three played well, but Brohm had some high praise for Garvin in his Monday news conference.
“For a guy who hasn’t been here for very long, I give him a lot of credit,” Brohm said. “He came in, he executed, he made the calls and he snapped the ball well.”
Garvin, a former player at Indiana University and now a walk-on for Purdue, was making his first career start on Saturday. According to Brohm, everyone is very hopeful that Garvin will have a bright future with the team.
“For a first start, I’m very proud of his performance and we’re hopeful that he can continue to improve and get better.”
Outside of the three new starters, the other two spots were filled with veteran starters Matt McCann and Grant Hermanns. McCann, a fifth-year senior, played right guard and Hermanns, a junior, started at left tackle.
“Without a question, Grant Hermanns had his best game. He definitely stood out,'' Brohm said. “Those two have to be our best players each week, and that did happen.”
This group will look to keep it going this week when they travel to Iowa to take on the No. 23-ranked Hawkeyes.
The good news for Purdue is that Iowa currently sits at 13th in the Big Ten in sacks with just 10 on the season. They have also only generated 21 tackles for a loss on the season, which ranks 127th in the NCAA.
