Purdue's leading tackler and defensive captain was lost to a season-ending knee injuree in practice earlier this week.
The team's senior starting quartertback -- a question mark all week -- was kept out of the game due to a consussion.
So perhaps it was little surprise that, playing another team from a Power Five conference, the Boilermakers proved not to have nearly enough to keep pace with TCU Saturday night, losing to the Horned Frogs 34-13.
Even with linebacker Markus Bailey out, the Boilermaker defense held TCU to less than 100 yards passing. Problem was, they allowed 346 rushing yards.
Coach Jeff Brohm had said all week that quarterback Elijah Sindelar, leading the nation in passing yards and completions due to his team's lackluster rushing attack, would be a game time decision. When Sindelar was held out with a concusion, redshirt freshman Jake Plummer was pressed into his first career start, throwing for 181 yards and two interceptions.
As such, the Boilermaker offense didn't find the end zone until late in the fourth quarter, when the game was all but sealed. Even All-American wideout Rondale Moore was held in check, registering just three catches for 25 yards.
TCU exploited the Boilerrs' lack of a running game, allowing just 23 yards rushing on the day. Meanwhile, TCU had two rushers of its own go for more than 100 yards apiece, as Sewo Olonilua rushed for 106 and Darius Anderson netted 176 and two scores.
TCU controled all facets, leading in time of possesion, yards per play, and third down conversions.
The Boilermakers have their only bye week of the regular season next week before returning to Ross-Ade Stadium on September 28 for their first conference match-up against Minnesota.
