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It took a little while for Purdue to separate from Illinois State, shades of the upset loss to Valpo previously. When the Boilers did though, first-time starters Antione West Jr. and Jack Benter helped close the door on the Redbirds. IndyStar's Nathan Baird and J&C's Sam King break down the victory, including an overlooked importance of a newcomer.

Coming off a loss with multiple big-play touchdowns allowed to a Maryland team previously winless in the Big Ten, Purdue football coach Barry Odom fired defensive coordinator Kevin Kane after nine games. IndyStar's Nathan Baird and J&C's Sam King detail what is next for Boilermakers football, and where they can go from here.

It took a pair of buzzer-beaters to extend the game and win it, but Valparaiso did. It showed how far Purdue basketball has to go after an 0-2 start with very different feelings after each loss. IndyStar's Nathan Baird and the J&C's Sam King break down the loss on a night Purdue unveiled a banner and paraded its next president around. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBairdIndyStar IndyStar newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/manage/

Nathan and Sam debate the "pause" of the Notre Dame football series and whether Saturday's homecoming game against Maryland is the most important so far of the Barry Odom tenure. Also, more reaction to Matt Painter's contract extension and what we'll have our eyes on against Valparaiso on Friday. Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBairdIndyStar IndyStar's Purdue newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/manage/

Daniel Jacobsen was the star of the show for coach Matt Painter's Purdue basketball team in an opening night loss to Gonzaga in Las Vegas. But there is plenty of reason to be optimistic in the six-point loss, IndyStar's Nathan Baird and J&C's Sam King explain. Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/purdue/2026/11/03/purdue-basketball-loss-gonzaga-brings-hope-future-boilermakers-daniel-jacobsen-coach-matt-painter/92570265007/ Newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/manage/ Doyel on Boilers: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2026/11/03/purdue-basketball-loss-gonzaga-star-big-man-daniel-jacobsen-guard-antione-west-coach-matt-painter/92501960007/

The Boilermakers stared down bowl eligibility at 3-3 after impressive Big Ten wins. After a pair of duds, how does Purdue measure success, seeking meaningful November games? Nathan Baird and Sam King offer their read on the situation.

Is Saturday's game at Penn State a must-win for Purdue football's quest to demonstrate a step forward as a program in 2026? Nathan Baird and Sam King give their predictions.

Purdue basketball opened its preseason with an 87-55 win over Ball State on Sunday. BoilersXTRA's Nathan Baird and Sam King break down what we saw from coach Matt Painter's roster, featuring a new cast of stars.

The gains Purdue's defense had made the prior two weeks were lost on a night Washington had five giveaways and won, partially a credit to former Boilers coach Ryan Walters and his Huskies defense. Nathan Baird and Sam King break down the loss that dropped Purdue to below .500 and bowl eligibility chances taking a hit.

After a 1-3 start, Purdue football suddenly has a realistic path to its first bowl since 2022. What needs to happen, and how crucial is Friday's game against Ryan Walters and Washington? Also, a preview of Sunday's exhibition opener for Boilermaker men's basketball.

Have our expectations on Purdue basketball's starting lineup changed since the start of practice? That and an update on Boilermaker women's hoops from Big Ten Media Days. Also, our preview of Purdue football going for two Big Ten wins in a row vs. Minnesota.

What does Oscar Sloan's commitment mean for Purdue's quarterback momentum? What will it take for the Boilermakers to upset Illinois on the road. Also, what Nathan and Sam were talking about basketball-wise after practice opened last week.

Did Purdue football show anything in its lopsided loss to No. 3 Notre Dame that conveys what it might do against talent-equated opponents ahead? Nathan Baird and Sam King detail an offense which never got going and a defense still struggling with common themes.

The Purdue men's basketball season begins this week with practices, then gives way to Notre Dame at Purdue football on Saturday. Nathan Baird and Sam King discuss what it would take for a Boilers upset, are joined by the South Bend Tribune's Mike Berardino to trade notes on each team, and then talk Boilermakers basketball.

Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne was excellent, though not perfect, at UCLA. Kevin Kane's defense got a few stops but allowed more than 600 yards of offense. Nathan Baird and Sam King break down a 52-38 loss at the Rose Bowl, one where turnovers and penalties flipped the game. Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/purdue/2026/09/20/purdue-football-coach-barry-odom-faith-kevin-kane-ryan-brown-collide-ucla/91847577007/ Subscribe to the newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/manage/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBairdIndyStar/videos