Five takeaways from Purdue football scrimmage

The final major tune-up before the Sept. 6 opener at Marshall is now complete for the Boilermakers.

Saturday's jersey scrimmage, which the Purdue offense won 85-36 over the defense using a modified scoring system, featured big plays on both sides. However, a potential setback occurred.

Here are five takeaways:

• The state of the linebackers took an unpleasant turn.

With Ja'Whaun Bentley and Jimmy Herman held out for precautionary reasons, sophomore Danny Ezechukwu suffered an injury to his right knee. Coach Darrell Hazell said the first medical report indicated the injury "was not an ACL." Ezechukwu will undergo further examinations.

For most of the scrimmage, the Boilermakers played without their top three linebackers. Bentley and Herman are expected to be available for the opener, but Ezechukwu's status is one to watch. Andy James Garcia is next up, but the junior battled a hamstring injury throughout camp.

• One objective Saturday was to identify the top six receivers.

Danny Anthrop, who didn't participate, along with DeAngeloYancey, Gregory Phillips and Cameron Posey appear to have spots locked up. That leaves Bilal Marshall, who is battling an ankle injury, Trae Hart and junior college transfers Anthony Mahoungou and Domonique Young in the mix to see action in the opener.

Mahoungou and Young continue to make strides. Both made touchdown receptions Saturday, but they're playing with more confidence and more awareness compared to the beginning of camp. They're not ready to crack the starting lineup yet.

"They're still learning; there's a lot for those guys to learn," Hazell said. "They have the ability to make plays around people. They have tremendous length, they've got good speed and their concentration level because of the knowledge is helping those guys get better."

• The running game is in good shape heading into the first game.

The combination of D.J. Knox, Markell Jones and Keyante Green and an experienced offensive line give the Boilermakers an opportunity to increase their production from last year.

"Our group has identified itself as the bruisers," Knox said. "As you can see, every single one of our running backs will break out of contact and keeping going and get five more yards. We broke a lot of tackles."

Knox produced a 44-yard touchdown after breaking through a hole on the left side and moving into the open field. Jones continues to impress with his ability to maneuver through the tackles. Green is the only running back with experience.

• Since spring practice, using different tempos has been the focus of the offense. The Boilermakers need to develop an edge and this has to be it.

Whoever the quarterback is – Austin Appleby has established himself as the leader – needs to execute and keep defenses off-balance. The final drive is an example of what Purdue needs.

Without huddling, Appleby led the offense on an 11-play drive against the No. 1 defense (minus the starting linebackers). He threw five passes, including a 17-yard touchdown to Young, but the variety of running plays kept the drive moving with Jones and Green contributing to the rushing attack.

Appleby said the final drive was orchestrated by the offensive line.

"We had a lot of those run-pass options in there and (Robert) Kugler comes up to me and says, 'Let's go. Put it on us.' That's all I have to hear," Appleby said.

The key is avoiding three-and-outs, especially early. The Boilermakers firmly believe the summer conditioning program will allow them to be effective late in games.

• The roster has more experience and now more knowledge of what's expected from the coaching staff.

This has allowed the Boilermakers to play at a different pace on defense. They're using those reshaped bodies to be in the right position to make plays.

"People are playing faster," defensive tackle Jake Replogle said. "You know your gaps better, you know what you're going to do every play. When you feel comfortable about what you're doing you play faster. That's something we've seen on film. We're hitting and getting after people and running. It's just a faster defense."

Now, all of this has to translate to the opener in two weeks.

Ten numbers from Saturday's scrimmage

•Quarterbacks Austin Appleby, David Blough and Elijah Sindelar unofficially completed a combined 39 of 60 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns.

•Blough threw two interceptions, which were picked off by Race Johnson and David Rose.

•Four different receivers – Anthony Mahoungou, Gregory Phillips, Dan Monteroso and Domonique Young – caught TD passes.

•The defense registered eight sacks.

•Monteroso had a scrimmage-best seven catches for 75 yards.

•D.J. Knox, Markell Jones and David Yancey produced rushing touchdowns.

•The running game averaged 4.0 yards per carry on 51 attempts.

•Knox rushed for a scrimmage-high 60 yards, including 44-yard touchdown.

•Of the 39 completions, six went for 20 yards or more.

•Defensive tackle Jake Replogle was credited with a safety.