Citrus Bowl Provides Purdue Running Back Devin Mockobee Chance for Another Milestone
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue redshirt freshman running back Devin Mockobee didn't know what to expect in his first meeting with new head coach Ryan Walters, who arrived on campus on Tuesday.
Mockobee, who led the team in rushing as a walk-on in 2022, was asked to stand when Walters entered the room to address the team. The former Illinois defensive coordinator's first order of business in his new position was to put the budding running back on a full-ride scholarship.
"I definitely think it was a very good first impression in my opinion, obviously, from my point of view," Mockobee said. "But just from the rest of the guys' point of view, I think the way he came in and just talked to us, I really like him."
In 12 games for the Boilermakers so far this season, Mockobee set the program record for the most yards on the ground by a freshman in school history and will have a chance to add to his numbers when the team takes on No. 16 LSU in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Mockobee has carried the football 182 times for 920 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on the year. He's registered four 100-yard performances this season, including another Purdue freshman record when he ran for 178 yards and a score on 30 attempts in a 43-37 victory over Nebraska.
With key offensive contributors in Aidan O'Connell, Payne Durham and Charlie Jones opting out of the team's bowl matchup, Mockobee's role is sure to expand as the program looks to win nine games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997 and 1998.
"It's a huge deal. To go down there and put our best foot forward, these guys are excited," Purdue interim head coach Brian Brohm said. "The ones that have been playing are excited to get out there and have this opportunity. The guys that might get a bigger role because somebody else stepped away, they're chomping at the bit to show what they can do."
Mockobee is just 80 yards away from becoming just the seventh player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. With one game left to reach that milestone, he has that goal within his grasp.
Nov 26, 2022; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) evades tackle by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jonathan Haynes (17) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium.
© Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
The last Purdue running back to reach 1,000 yards was Kory Sheets back in 2008. He ran for 1,131 yards rushing on 234 attempts while also scoring 16 touchdowns on the ground. Mockobee is poised the join a prestigious list that includes the likes of Sheets, Mike Alstott and Otis Armstrong.
"It's definitely going to be a big game, especially as we have guys opt out, other guys' roles sort of get bigger and other guys have to step up," Mockobee said. "But I'm 80 away from 1,000, and that's my goal. I'm definitely trying to hit that."
For Mockobee, he's in a position he wouldn't even have been able to envision a year ago. He's gone from not even dressing for games to being the lead back for a team that captured its first Big Ten West title in program history.
From here on out, it's about getting better every year, and he said part of that equation is to add weight and strength. But no matter the outcome of 2022, he'll be back in West Lafayette next season under Walters to begin a new era of Purdue football.
"I can't say I'm not happy with the way that it's going," Mockobee said. "But I don't know, I'm just glad to see that I've been able to do what I think that I've been able to do the whole time."
Purdue All-Time Single-Season Rushing Leaders
| Player | Yards Rushing | Year |
|---|---|---|
Mike Alstott | 1,436 | 1995 |
Otis Armstrong | 1,361 | 1972 |
Mike Alstott | 1,188 | 1994 |
Kory Sheets | 1,131 | 2008 |
Joey Harris | 1,115 | 2002 |
Otis Armstrong | 1,009 | 1970 |
Leroy Keyes | 1,003 | 1968 |
Scott Dierking | 1,000 | 1976 |
Montrell Lowe | 998 | 2000 |
Harry Szulborski | 989 | 1948 |
Related Stories on Purdue Football
- Why Ryan Walters Awarded Devin Mockobee a Scholarship: Redshirt freshman running back Devin Mockobee leads Purdue with 182 carries for 920 yards rushing and nine touchdowns in 2022. During his first day in West Lafayette, new head coach Ryan Walters announced that the walk-on will be put on scholarship. CLICK HERE
- Drew Brees Named Purdue Assistant Coach for Citrus Bowl: Drew Brees played four years with the Boilermakers from 1997 to 2000. He is the program's all-time leader in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. CLICK HERE
- Aidan O'Connell, Payne Durham, Charlie Jones Opt Out of Citrus Bowl: Purdue will be without quarterback Aidan O'Connell, tight end Payne Durham and wide receiver Charlie Jones when it takes on No. 16 LSU in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. CLICK HERE
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