Purdue football takes step back in rebuild with loss to Illinois

Purdue football looked like it took a step back Saturday against No. 22 Illinois. Still, in a loss, there were areas of improvement.

Purdue hired a defensive-minded coach to replace another one in Ryan Walters. So, Barry Odom is the guy who can and has fixed these issues previously.

Up next: Purdue at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WEST LAFAYETTE — A different Barry Odom walked into Purdue football ’s postgame interviews Saturday.

The 43-27 loss to No. 22 Illinois hit differently than the two setbacks which preceded it. Anger replaced disappointment as the Boilermaker coach’s primary emotion.

“No. 1, I believe in Purdue,” Odom said. “And for us to play the way we did today, from the coaching staff all the way down, was awful.”

Winning during this three-game run — USC at home