Barry Odom Already Speaking Highly of Environment at Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium

New Purdue football coach Barry Odom is already speaking highly about the environment has at Ross-Ade Stadium, calling it one of the best in the country.

Purdue Boilermakers defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols (93) celebrates with fans | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — When Purdue kicks off the 2025 season at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30 against Ball State, new coach Barry Odom wants it to be one of the best environments in college football. He knows from past experiences that it can be an uncomfortable place to play.

Odom has limited experience playing at Ross-Ade Stadium, bringing his Missouri team to West Lafayette in 2018. Despite the hostile environment, the Tigers defeated the Boilers 40-37.

Still, that atmosphere left a lasting impression on Odom.

"I have seen it over the years," Odom said on Purdue Football Live. "I remember watching games at night when the Boilermakers were rolling. I personally saw it first hand when I brought a team in here in 2018."

Odom understands that the fan support isn't going to come blindly. After a 1-11 season and a 5-19 mark over the last two seasons under the previous regime, there may be some hesitancy from a fan perspective.

That's why Purdue is going to work extremely hard to put a great product on the field that fans can get behind each and every week — especially for those home games.

"There's a number of walls we want to break down, and that's playing great at home. It's going to start with us preparing the right way, getting ready to go play at a high level," Odom said. "And then we want to turn Ross-Ade into the greatest home-field advantage that a team can have — make people fear coming to play us, not only because we're a really good football team, but our fans make it a nightmare situation for them."

Purdue will have seven home games during the 2025 season. It starts on Aug. 30 with a contest against Southern Illinois. The Boilermakers will also play host to Southern Illinois (Sept. 6), USC (Sept. 13), Illinois (Oct. 4), Rutgers (Oct. 25), Ohio State (Nov. 8) and Indiana (Nov. 29).

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