- Purdue vs. No. 15 LSU, 1 p.m., Monday; Television: ABC
- LSU is a 15.5-point favorite.
A lot has changed since Purdue football last took to the field in the Big Ten Championship game against Michigan.
Jeff Brohm has returned home to Louisville. Ryan Walters has been hired as his replacement, but will not coach today’s Citrus Bowl against LSU. On offense, starting QB Aidan O’Connell, star receiver Charlie Jones and tight end Payne Durham all opted out of the bowling game to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft – as did the cornerback Cory Trice and linebacker Jalen Graham.
Brohm’s brother Brian will lead the Boilers today, with help from Drew Brees, who was added as an assistant for the Citrus Bowl.
Journal & Courier sportswriter Sam King is in Orlando for us. Make sure you tap refresh for updates.
Break:Former Purdue NFL player dies at West Lafayette
8:23 2Q: LSU 28, Purdue 0
LANDING. The rout is on. Noah Cain adds his second touchdown of the game, this time from nine yards out. Purdue is losing more defenders to injuries on an already lightweight unit, and the Boilers are no match for LSU right now. That’s four straight touchdowns for the Tigers.
10:02 2Q: LSU 21, Purdue 0
Another Purdue punt. Here’s a suggestion for interim head coach Brian Brohm: Give Devin Mockobee more of the ball. The freshman has 21 yards rushing on four carries and nine yards on a catch. He has 30 of Purdue’s 37 offensive yards.
13:03 2Q: LSU 21, Purdue 0
LANDING. Mason Taylor slaloms through Purdue defenders en route to a 32-yard touchdown as LSU stretches this one.
FIN 1Q: LSU 14, Purdue 0
LSU returns to Jayden Daniels at QB. There have only been Tigers so far.
1:01 1Q: LSU 14, Purdue 0
REVERSE CALL FUMBLE. On the first play of the next drive, Purdue RB Dylan Downing is blown up in the backfield and fumbled. He stayed down and his knee had fallen before the ball came off. The Purdue coaches helped him up and escorted him to the sideline.
1:06 1Q: LSU 14, Purdue 0
LANDING. LSU makes a QB switch, and Garrett Nussmeier helps devise another Tigers scoring drive, this one capped off with a 10-yard touchdown run from Noah Cain.
4:27 1Q: LSU 7, Purdue 0
Purdue landed their first try on the game thanks to a few runs from Devin Mockobee, but were forced to fend it off (which included a kick interference penalty on the Boilers). Austin Burton took a few deep shots but both fell short, one short and one too deep.
7:01 1Q: LSU 7, Purdue 0
LANDING. John Emery Jr. hits it from 1 yard to give LSU the lead. The Tigers complete a 10-play drive that covered 63 yards and nearly five minutes thanks to a 4-and-2 conversion near midfield.
9:13 1Q: Purdue 0, LSU 0
Former IndyStar Mr. Football Reese Taylor (out of Ben Davis) was injured on the first play of the game and is still in the medical tent according to the ABC broadcast. And Branson Deen (of Lawrence Central) walked off the field holding onto the Tigers’ second possession. LSU goes there for 4th and 2nd and gets it was a 12-yard completion.
11:47 1Q: Purdue 0, LSU 0
The Boilers defense gives up a first down, but retains first possession to force an LSU punt. With Austin Burton under center for Purdue, who is only making his third career start, the Boilers make a triple and return to the Tigers.
15:00 1Q: Purdue 0, LSU 0
And we’re in progress, and the TV crew only mentioned Drew Brees 3,458 times.
Pregame Reading for Purdue vs. LSU
Jayden Daniels:Purdue defense aware of LSU Jayden Daniels double threat ahead of Citrus Bowl
Learn more about LSU:Former LSU fans become LSU opponents for Purdue at Citrus Bowl
Get to know Ryan Walters:After the cameras turned off, Purdue’s new coach told his life story. It’s incredible
Purdue Football Coach:Purdue coach Ryan Walters set to tackle recruitment and portal
What channel is Citrus Bowl on?
The Citrus Bowl between Purdue and LSU will air on ABC.
What are the betting odds for the Citrus Bowl?
LSU is favored by 15.5 points with an over/under set at 54 points, per DraftKings.
Why is Drew Brees sidelined at Purdue?
The former Boilers star quarterback helps out-maneuvered Purdue staff for the Citrus Bowl after the coaching change from Jeff Brohm to Ryan Walters, who is not coaching today.
“I see this not only as an opportunity to coach and mentor this group of young men, but to represent all of the former Purdue players who care so much about our program,” Brees said in a press release. “It’s also preparation for the future of Purdue football with new head coach Ryan Walters.”