Aidan O’Connell has previously enjoyed success in the state of Indiana

Quarterback Aidan O’Connell is returning to the state where he made a name for himself.

Lucas Oil Stadium is roughly 70 miles south of Ross–Ade Stadium, which O’Connell called home as a Purdue Boilermaker. As a walk-on, O’Connell climbed the depth chart to become the full-time starter by his redshirt junior season. During his time in West Lafayette, Indiana, he threw for 9,219 passing yards with a 65:30 touchdown to interception ratio.

Since the Raiders rookie quarterback has taken over as the full-time starter in Week 9, he’s thrown for 1,362 yards and seven touchdowns with a 4-3 record.

“Week to week there’s so much that goes into each game that requires you to go out there and perform well,”O’Connell said Wednesday, evaluating his season. “So, I think you have to work as hard as possible each day, each week to give yourself a chance when the game comes around.”