WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As Purdue gears up for its 2025 season opener against Ball State on August 30 at Ross-Ade Stadium, new head coach Barry Odom is determined to create a thrilling atmosphere for fans. He knows firsthand how electric the stadium can be.
Odom has only faced Purdue once as a coach, when he brought his Missouri team to West Lafayette in 2018. Despite the intense environment, Missouri came away with a close 40-37 victory. That experience stayed with him.
“I’ve seen it over the years,” Odom said. “I remember watching night games when the Boilermakers were on a roll. I experienced it myself when I brought a team here in 2018.”
Yet, Odom is aware that winning back fans might take time, especially after Purdue’s 1-11 season and 5-19 record during the last two years. He understands that enthusiasm might be hard to come by initially.
That’s why he and his team are committed to putting a competitive product on the field. They want fans to rally behind the Boilermakers every home game.
“We want to build a strong home advantage,” Odom explained. “It starts with preparing the right way and performing at a high level. We want Ross-Ade to be a place that opponents dread visiting, thanks to both our team’s skill and our passionate fans.”
Purdue’s 2025 season includes seven home games. The excitement kicks off on August 30 against Southern Illinois, followed by matches against teams like USC on September 13, Illinois on October 4, and Ohio State on November 8.
Odom is also focused on recruiting, aiming to build Purdue through strong relationships with high school athletes, even with the growing importance of the transfer portal in college football.
In other news, Purdue recently secured its first commitment for the 2026 recruiting class. They signed 6-foot-7 offensive lineman Rico Schrieber, adding depth to their roster for the future.
Odom is not shy about stirring the rivalry with Indiana, referring to them as “the opponent in red” during a press conference, adding fuel to the already fierce competition between the two teams.
Taking on the challenge ahead, Odom feels a strong sense of duty to revitalize Purdue’s football program. He is committed to ensuring the Boilermakers return to a path of success.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming spring game, which promises to set the tone for the 2025 season. Under Odom’s leadership, fans can expect exciting changes on the field.
