Hudson Card striving to boost Purdue’s credibility in new Big Ten
Purdue quarterback Hudson Card throws a pass downfield during the first quarter against Iowa Saturday October 7, 2023 at Kinnick Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
INDIANAPOLIS — The senior quarterback is approaching this upcoming season with one goal on his mind, and that’s to get the Boilermakers back to a winning campaign.
After Purdue lost five of its’ final seven games in Ryan Walter’s first season on the job, Hudson Card and his teammates had to take a deep look in the mirror. A grueling offseason of hard work, establishing depth, and film study has Card believing the Boilermakers will make strides this fall.
“I really do feel good about where we are right now,” Card said. “We got some key guys back, we got some key guys from the portal that are really going to help us out.”
However, no one is expecting Purdue to make any noise in 2024. As a matter of fact, the Preseason Big Ten Media Poll came out earlier this week, and the Boilermakers were dead last. Card is eager to change the narrative though, and will hold himself accountable on how the season plays out.
“I think that’s why you choose quarterback as a position, everything starts with you, and if you’re not on your A-game, then the odds are the play is not going to work out as much,” he said. “You touch the ball on every play , so that’s the responsibility that I’m honored to have, and I chose it.”
His experience, leadership and production should help in Walter’s second year on the sidelines. After all, Card’s journey is all about seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The former four-star prospect began his career at Texas, where he started five games and threw for 1,523 yards and 11 touchdowns over a three-year period.
Being the hometown kid, it was tough for him to leave Austin, but Card is looking promising in the Big Ten. Card passed for three touchdowns apiece in victories over Minnesota and Indiana. He threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Illinois. Not to mention his 323 passing yards against Syracuse, were a season-high.
Card even picked up where he left off and threw a 58-yard touchdown in Purdue’s spring game. Now he has momentum entering the month of August. After all, Card is proud of his growth, and remains as humble as ever because of his journey.
“I wouldn’t change my experience for anything, I’ve had quite a bit of ups and downs in my career, but I wouldn’t be the player and person that I am today without those experiences,” the 22-year old said.
The gunslinger has knowledge of the game from Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian, and now he’s more comfortable in year two of Graham Harrell’s system. Card will need to keep his head on a swivel though in the new 18-team Big Ten. Competition will be at an all-time high, and the Boilermakers will have a slimmer margin for error.
Still, that’s how Card likes it, and feels it’s the only way he can make the national pundits put some respect on Purdue’s name. The signal-caller even reaches out to past Boilermaker greats for advice, including Drew Brees, Kyle Orton and Aidan O’Connell. Picking their brains helps Card handle situations in a variety of ways.
A brutal schedule looms for Purdue, with games against Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Penn State. Card is refusing to back down to any of those teams, and the Boilermakers will head into the season with a chip on their shoulders.
“You get to play the best competition week in and week out, which as a competitor you want to play the best.”
