Purdue football vs. Syracuse football team leaders, injuries, storylines
Purdue football starts a stretch of three games at Ross-Ade Stadium when it hosts Syracuse at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 (NBC).
Come back throughout the week as storylines develop for this matchup.
The Boilermakers (1-1) shored up a couple of areas that were deficient in their opener, enabling them to beat Virginia Tech 24-17 in a weather-interrupted matchup.
Purdue ran the ball much better than in its opener (179 yards, 3 touchdowns), converting critical third-down plays on its go-ahead fourth-quarter drive. It also stopped the Hokies on third downs, except in the second quarter, when they scored all their points.
Hudson Card is 40-of-64 passing for 502 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Devin Mockobee has rushed for 155 yards, 28 yards in receptions and 2 TDs. Tight end Max Klare has 10 catches for 86 yards, while Deion Burks is averaging 34 yards per catch with 2 TDs. Freshman safety Dillon Thieneman has 16 tackles and 2 interceptions.
Gus Hartwig, the No. 1 center who missed the start of the season recovering from an injury suffered last year, is back atop this week's initial depth chart.
Except for a 75-yard run on the second play of last weekend's game by Western Michigan, Syracuse (2-0) hasn't been challenged.
Garrett Shrader is 37-of-54 passing for 543 yards, with 5 TDs and 1 INT. LeQuint Allen has 127 rushing yards and 4 TDs; Umari Hatcher has 9 catches for 188 yards and TD, and Marlowe Wax has 13 tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble.
Tight end Oronde Gradsden II and center David Wohlabaugh suffered injuries against Western Michigan, and their status for this week is uncertain.
Syracuse edged Purdue 32-29 last season in a wild fourth quarter that included 42 total points and Gradsden's winning touchdown reception from Shrader with 7 seconds to go.
Purdue vs. Syracuse betting odds
Syracuse opens as a 2.5-point favorite, according to DraftKings, and the over/under is 58.5 total points. Money line: Syracuse is -148, Purdue +124.
Purdue football coverage from IndyStar.com and JCOnline.com
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football vs. Syracuse football betting odds, TV, streaming
