Last season, D’Angelo Ponds and the Indiana defense put on an absolute clinic against Purdue, shutting out the Boilermakers 66-0. From the moment the Boilermakers stepped onto the field in Bloomington, they were completely outmatched. The stout Hoosiers defense bullied the Purdue offense from start to finish, holding the Boilermakers to just 67 yards of total offense and 5 turnovers. This season, Indiana makes the trip up to West Lafayette, where a new-look Purdue team hopes to spoil IU’s undefeated season.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, D’Angelo Ponds described just how different this Purdue team looks from last year’s. “Like you said, they’re much improved from last year. I feel like they’re more physical this year. They’re a very competitive team, even though their record probably doesn’t show it. They’re a good team. We don’t take them lightly, and they’re better than last year.” Ponds said.
One of the biggest challenges that the Purdue offense poses is their two-quarterback system. The Boilermakers experimented with this against Washington, mixing both sophomores Ryan Browne and Malachi Singleton. In that game, Singleton got the bulk of the snaps, going 16/28 for 150 yards and a TD and rushing for 22 yards. Browne was mixed in as a change of pace, connecting for a 17-yard strike.
Purdue Offensive Coordinator Josh Henson said that “Ryan [Browne] is our starter” in his press conference leading up to the Bucket game, but that Singleton will get snaps as well, saying that, “We’ll feel the flow of the game and see how they’re playing.
Whoever is under center for the Boilermakers, Ponds is confident in Indiana’s gameplan.“It is something different, just going against a two-quarterback system. Obviously, they’re two different guys, so we treat them two different ways. I feel like Coach (Bryant) Haines has a perfect plan for them.” He said on Tuesday.
With a big smile on his face, Ponds elaborated on how Coach Haines’ scheme is “evil” towards opposing quarterbacks. “Since JMU [James Madison], I’ve known he’s an evil guy, like you said. He confuses quarterbacks, and I feel like that’s what makes us so great. Quarterbacks really don’t know what they’re seeing out there. He’s great at what he does.”
For Ponds, he may be playing with a little bit of an edge on Friday, as he was snubbed from the Thorpe Award Finalists List. “I don’t really look into that type of stuff. For me, it’s just being the best version of myself. Obviously I want to be one of those guys, but those are great guys up there, so hats off to them.”
Regardless of awards, Ponds is proud of the body of work he has put together this season. “I feel like I have met my expectations. I feel like for me, it’s just controlling what I can control, I can’t control the targets I get and stuff like that. I want to be the best version of myself and I feel like I’ve been that.” Ponds said.
Ponds will have a chance to finish the regular season strong as he faces off against a two-quarterback system that has combined for 11 interceptions. If Purdue is smart, they won’t throw to Ponds’ side of the field; otherwise #5 will feast this Thanksgiving.