Purdue football loss to UCLA features high honors and a tutor needed

Purdue football suffered a 52-38 loss to UCLA at Rose Bowl Stadium on Saturday. The Boilermakers, who have a 1-2 record and 0-1 in the Big Ten, fell to their 19th consecutive Big Ten loss. The offense, under the guidance of offensive coordinator Josh Henson, was hindered by early fumbles and a costly interception that led to a UCLA touchdown.

Quarterback Ryan Browne had a strong performance but threw into the Bruins' defense in the fourth quarter, resulting in a pick-six. Xavier Townsend was praised for a breakout performance, including a 75-yard touchdown on Purdue's first play. The defense, however, was a major issue, allowing UCLA to dominate the ground game and giving back the lead with three turnovers.

Special teams were rated as 'B', with a bright spot being the special teams unit. The only positive for the coaching grade was the defensive staff, who received a 'C' grade, reflecting inadequate player selection. Wayne Knight was named the MVP, rushing for nearly 1,400 yards last season at James Madison and averaging 8 yards per carry through two games.