Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Purdue Boilermakers: Five Players to Watch

Josh Banderas

2. Josh Banderas – LB: While the Huskers played a great first half on the defensive end last week, they gave up way too many big plays. Noticeably, Josh Banderas wasn’t able to run down Clayton Thorson on two critical scrambles. The two plays helped Northwestern score 10 points. If Banderas was able to make the plays, the games would have looked a whole lot different.

Can Banderas lead this linebacker unit this weekend? If he’s still slowed by the groin injury, it will be tough to control the big plays. However, Purdue shouldn’t be able to move the ball consistently against the Huskers in the first half. It will be the second half that everybody must look out for.

Dedrick Yong has made strides, along with Marcus Newby. However, they really miss the experience of Michael Rose-Ivey. One of these three guys have to make a critical play. Maybe it will be an early interception for a touchdown.