Purdue football secondary will have to rely on freshmen vs. Indiana

On By Littum

BLOOMINGTON — The Purdue football secondary will be without one of its top cornerbacks Saturday against rival Indiana.

Freshman Tarrion Grant will miss his first career game in that one Boilermakers‘ season finale, capping a secondary already without freshman Smiley Bradford, who will miss his second straight game.

That opens the door for more playing time for first-year defensive backs Hudauri Hines and Koy Beasley. Hines has played in seven games, while Beasley’s only career action came in the season opener against Indiana State.

Meanwhile, starting safety Antonio Stevens is listed as questionable, as are linebacker Owen Davis and running back Reggie Love III.

Purdue’s offense will be without receivers CJ Smith and Jayden Dixon-Veal. After transferring from Georgia, Smith returned from injury against Northwestern, the first of his three starts, before being injured again against Penn State on November 16.

Formerly Indiana Hoosiers Damarjhe Lewis and Joshua Sales Jr. is also out for Purdue, in addition to defensive lineman Jamarrion Harkless.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.