College Sports

No. 23 Iowa looks to snap 2-game skid vs. Purdue

Posted October 17, 2019 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Purdue (2-4, 1-2 Big Ten) at No. 23 Iowa (4-2, 1-2), Saturday at 12 p.m. EDT (ESPN2).

Line: Iowa by 17.

Series record: Purdue leads 48-38-3.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Iowa needs to build some positive momentum after suffering back-to-back close losses to ranked teams. Purdue blasted Maryland 40-14 last week, and a win over the Hawkeyes puts a possible bowl game back in play.

KEY MATCHUP

Purdue QB Jack Plummer vs. Iowa's secondary. Plummer, a redshirt freshman, completed 33 of 41 passes last week against the Terrapins. Iowa has been vulnerable at times in the passing game, but the Hawkeyes' banged up defensive backs are getting healthier by the week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Iowa: RB Tyler Goodson. The freshman lost a crucial fumble in last week's 17-12 loss to Penn State. But Goodson is the most talented back the Hawkeyes have had in years, and it feels as though he might be the starter before long.

Purdue: WR David Bell. He caught nine passes for 138 yards and two TDs last week, earning Big Ten freshman of the week honors.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Boilermakers won 20 consecutive games against the Hawkeyes (1961-80), the longest winning streak by Purdue against any Big Ten team in school history. The Boilers also currently have a two-game winning streak in the series. ... Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley's next touchdown pass will be his 62nd, and it'll put him in second place on Iowa's all-time list behind Chuck Long. ... The Boilermakers are averaging just 63.5 yards rushing per game, the second-lowest total in the nation, while Iowa's run defense ranks 17th nationally. ... Purdue has used 30 true and redshirt freshmen this season.

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Purdue safety Cory Trice (23) celebrates an interception against Maryland during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. Purdue defeated Maryland 40-14. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) The Associated Press

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