WEST LAFAYETTE − All that good will Purdue football built up the last two weeks.
The Boilermakers reverted to their old selves in Friday night's 38-26 loss to Washington at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Exiled former Purdue head coach Ryan Walters had the last laugh as Huskies defensive coordinator, now 2-0 against the Boilermakers that fired him after the 2024 season.
Washington did it with a three-touchdown day from backup quarterback Elijah Brown and a rushing attack that hasn't existed all season until seeing Purdue on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
The Boilermakers (3-4, 2-2 Big Ten) now enter an idle week with more questions after it appeared they'd turned a corner in wins over Illinois and Minnesota.
Here's how Purdue's Friday night performance stacks up in the classroom.
OFFENSE GRADE: C-
Take away Antonio Harris' 60-yard run, which was all about him keeping a play alive and not anything blocking wise that sprung him, and Purdue had a nonexistent run game. Take that off the board and Purdue had 26 carries for 38 yards. Ryan Browne challenged defensive backs in single coverage and eventually it backfired. An interception with the game still in the balance essentially wiped away any chance of a Purdue comeback win. Browne, who entered with just one INT in 180 attempts, had a second in the game late. The Boilers turned the ball over on downs three times, including its first possession of the game. Not capitalizing on three interceptions from Purdue's defense was a backbreaker.
DEFENSE GRADE: D
Welcome back to college football season, Purdue defense of games one through four. It's really tough to earn this low of a grade with three interceptions and a fumble recovery, but the Boilermakers managed. Washington started its backup quarterback, and entered averaging 26.2 points, 369.8 yards and 90.3 rushing yards per game. Knock out FCS opponent Eastern Washington (a 48-16 Huskie win) and those numbers are even worse. By halftime, the Huskies had 24 points, 302 yards and 125 rushing yards. Then they played two more quarters to pile on.
SPECIAL TEAMS GRADE: B+
What a weapon Purdue has in freshman kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano, who may end up a first-team all-conference player. Lozano made two field goals, including a career-long 48, Washington's kickoff return team brought two kicks out and ended up stymied at the 19 and 21. For the second week in a row, Dylan Drennan's knuckle punt helped result in a turnover when it took a funky bounce of a Washington blocker's foot and was recovered by Don Saunders. Docking the Boilers slightly here for two special teams penalties, including a late hit on a touchback.
COACHING GRADE: D
Purdue did deal with the chess match of having to prepare for two quarterbacks. That's not an excuse. The Boilermakers also had one less day of preparation than Washington, which played a second consecutive Friday night game. Where the biggest gripe comes with this not creating any depth at cornerback. When Hudauri Hines left in the first quarter, Washington picked on Ryan Turner and Dee Newsome. Purdue had a short time to prepare, but instead looked like it didn't prepare at all.
GAME MVP
Trey Cooley had 25 carries for 52 yards all season. The sixth-year Washington running back, who had previous stints at Louisville, Georgia Tech and Troy, totaled 113 yards on eight carries, including a 53-yard touchdown.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football grades poorly after reverting to previous self vs Washington