Purdue football vs. Indiana State: Scout report, prediction

WEST LAFAYETTE —The recent cracking of pads has come against dummies, sleds or teammates.

On Saturday, Purdue football season begins and the Boilermakers finally get a chance to clash with somebody else when Indiana State visits West Lafayette.

"We put in so much work as a team and I think we're all excited to go out there and have a game," Purdue quarterback Hudson Card said.

A 4-8 record last season left a lot to be desired.

Purdue overhauled its roster, loading up with talent in areas of need, namely offensive line, cornerback rush end and receiver.

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At noon Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium, head coach Ryan Walters gets a second chance to start a season on a high note. Purdue lost the opener last season to Fresno State on a touchdown in the final minute.

About the Sycamores

Last season was a struggle as Indiana State secured its only victory against Western Illinois. The Sycamores averaged just 13.5 points and 264.5 yards per game during a 1-10 season while allowing 30 points and more than 377 yards per.

Curt Mallory , the former Michigan linebacker and son of former Indiana Hoosiers coach Bill Mallory, is in his eighth season as head coach.

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Indiana State's offense is led by running back Plez Lawrence, a former standout at Kokomo High School, who was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's All-Newcomer Team last season.

Leading tackler Maddix Blackwell, a defensive back, and linebacker Garret Ollendieck both earned second-team All-MVFC honors last season.

Preseason praise

Six Boilermakers appear on preseason national watch lists.

Sophomore safety Dillon Thieneman appears on list for the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (college football's top defensive player), Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back) and Lott IMPACT Award (defensive player based on integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity).

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Card appears on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Manning Award, Earl Campbell while also appearing on the Senior Bowl watch list with offensive linemen Marcus Mbow and Gus Hartwig. Devin Mockobee is on the Doak Walker Award watch list (top running back) and Jahmal Edrine , who tore his ACL prior to last season, is mentioned on the Comeback Player of the Year list.

Prediction: Purdue 49, Indiana State 7

The Boilermakers are 6-0 all-time against Indiana State.

The Sycamores are 0-35 all-time against teams from Power 4 conferences, including a 56-0 loss at Purdue in 2022.

Not a lot of thought needs to go into this prediction. If Purdue doesn't win with relative ease, that's cause for concern.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football vs. Indiana State: Scout report, prediction