 | Speed 101
October 5, 2007 Source: Sporting News - "Got speed? If not, don't worry. You can get some -- fast. 'Everyone always asks me,' Butch Reynolds says, ' 'Can speed be taught?' And I say, 'Yes.'' Jim Tressel hired the former world record holder and Olympic gold medal winner as the Buckeyes' speed coordinator in 2005. It was an unprecedented move by a college program..." |
 | Freeman key part of Buckeyes' defense
October 6, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - Ohio State has been keeping its linebacker corps fresh by rotating a couple of players at each position, but junior Marcus Freeman is showing he can manage just fine without the breather. Freeman will play every significant snap at the weakside spot for the third straight game at Purdue tonight while sophomore Ross Homan recovers from a toe injury. The Wayne product had a sack and two tackles-for-loss against Northwestern and 11 tackles against Minnesota last week while being named the team's defensive player of the game. 'He continues to get better and better the more he gets to play,' OSU coach Jim Tressel said..." |
Little plays add up for Buckeyes defense
October 6, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Hammer hits are all well and good; they make the highlight shows and bring fans out of their seats. But the beauty of the Ohio State defense often is more subtle. The Buckeyes cause death by a thousand paper cuts. Heading into what is expected to be its toughest test to date, at No. 23 Purdue tonight, No. 4 Ohio State ranks first in the Big Ten in defense and second nationally..."
 | Career start No. 1
October 4, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Last week at Minnesota, defensive tackle Nader Abdallah made his first career start. He took over for Doug Worthington, who said he was nursing a slight hamstring injury, although he also played. Abdallah, a junior, appeared in only nine games in his first two seasons for a total of 23 minutes. But he has been solidly in the four-man tackle rotation this season and has six tackles. 'Nader had a great week of practice, as he usually does, and (the coaches) thought it was best for him to start off, and he played well when he was in there,' Worthington said. Abdallah later left with what Worthington said was a bruised shin." |
Switzer: Buckeyes still lack speed
October 4, 2007 Source: Toldeo Blade - "...In regard to the Buckeyes, Switzer believes coach Jim Tressel has yet to address the gaping difference in team speed they had with Florida last season. 'It's a slugfest up there with those guys,' Switzer said in a teleconference yesterday. 'I still don't think Ohio State has the skill that Florida had. No team in the country could run like Florida could last year. With their receivers corps and the speed, the playbook there doesn't demonstrate speed like it does with the wide-open offense that Florida has demonstrated.'..."
Buckeyes trying to ignore ranking
October 3, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The roiling waves of college football have lifted Ohio State to a No. 4 ranking...Ohio State players are not apologizing for their rapid rise...They might or might not be the fourth-best team in the nation, but that's immaterial. Others have been upset; they have not. As they prepare for their stiffest test to date, the Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0) took an important lesson from a chaotic September..."
 | Buckeye Rotation Working Well...For the Most Part
October 3, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "The Buckeye have had a lot of success rotating players into and out of the lineup, but there are some times when it just doesn't work as well as the coaching staff would like. Check out the complete story..." |
 | Tressel: There's a chance Saine could return
October 2, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Just yesterday, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said he thought there was no chance backup tailback Brandon Saine would be available for the fourth-ranked Buckeyes’ Saturday night game at No.20 Purdue. Today, Tressel was singing a slightly different tune..."
Back from surgery, Saine is practicing
October 4, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Twelve days after having arthroscopic knee surgery, Ohio State running back Brandon Saine practiced at full speed yesterday and looked good, quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels said..." |
 | Big Ten notebook: Tiller willing to wait for showdown
October 3, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "'I'm thinking, 'We've got a heck of a lot of work to do before Saturday. I can wait for it to get here.'' Purdue's challenge -- one of them, anyway -- is treating Saturday's prime-time matchup against fourth-ranked Ohio State, which has Boilermakers fans eager for a party, like any other game...
Tressel hasn't forgotten last road loss
October 2, 2007 Source: Associated Press - " QUOTE OF THE DAY: A reporter pointed out to Tressel how well his team had done on the road in recent games. 'I remember a night game in January we didn’t do real great,' Tressel cracked. 'Just a faint memory.'
Leading rusher Chris 'Beanie' Wells still has a gimpy ankle. But top backup Brandon Saine might be able to play Saturday at Purdue after a quick recovery from an undisclosed injury. He’s missed the last two games. 'I think you would call him questionable right now because it will be the doctors and trainers who will make that decision (if he plays),' coach Jim Tressel said on Tuesday. 'I was prepared to say he was out. I’m not sure that’s true (now).' In addition, the Buckeyes will be getting back CB Andre Amos, who injured a knee in the spring. He’ll add to the depth in the secondary. Finally, recruit LB Jermale Hines, who missed a month of practice while some academic problems were sorted out, will jump into the two-deep on special teams..."
Bucknotes: Ranking The Big Ten's QBs
October 1, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "In this edition of Dave Biddle's blog, Bucknotes, Dave takes a stab at ranking the Big Ten's starting quarterbacks in order from 1-11. Dave also gives his thoughts on punting from inside the 40, college football games being televised on Friday nights, Ohio State's depth on the offensive line and much more..."
Laurinaitis switches focus to Purdue after trip home
October 1, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Ohio State quarterback Todd Boeckman, still No. 1 in the Big Ten in passing efficiency...Ohio State defense remains No. 3 nationally in allowing the fewest points...No Boom sighting" |
 | 'Tank' treads on would-be tacklers
October 2, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Tyler Whaley has proof that anything is possible for a hard-working walk-on at Ohio State. He looks at it every day in the mirror.Five years ago, he was a tenacious but undersized offensive lineman. Now, he sees a 6-foot, 265-pound fullback staring back at him, one who, after four years in the mill, has earned a scholarship and wound up being reclassified as an oversized fullback this past spring..."
Tank a Blocking Tiger in OSU Backfield
September 26, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "Tyler "Tank" Whaley got the starting nod at fullback in OSU's blowout win over Northwestern, and Whaley says he had an absolute ball blocking Wildcats..." |
No. 4 Ohio State Faces No. 20 Purdue Saturday
October 2, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Fourth-ranked Ohio State (5-0/2-0) continues Big Ten play with a visit to No. 20 Purdue (5-0/1-0) for an 8 p.m. EDT game Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007, at Ross-Ade Stadium (62,500) in West Lafayette, Ind..."
Press release in PDF
 | Jim Tressel Previews Purdue Thursday
October 4, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Jim Tressel, Ohio State football head coach, addressed media Thursday at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center to preview the No. 4 Buckeyes' contest vs. No. 23 Purdue at 8 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised live by ABC and a radio broadcast is available at WBNS 1460 AM or 97.1 FM." |
 | Coach Tressel Previews Purdue
October 5, 2007 Source: CoachTressel.com - "Coach Tressel looks at the upcoming game this weekend against the Boilermakers..." |
Ten Pressing Questions: Ohio State at Purdue
October 6, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "We take a look at some of the key storylines and pressing questions as No. 4 Ohio State visits No. 23 Purdue Saturday night (8 p.m., ABC). We pose questions surrounding QB Todd Boeckman, TB Chris "Beanie" Wells and how the vaunted OSU defense will contain Purdue QB Curtis Painter and the high scoring Boilers..."
Football: Assistant Coaches Preview Purdue Game
October 3, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - He (Dorien Bryant) is very elusive and (Dustin) Keller is the same way. Keller is very elusive. Every time you see him catch the ball, he's doing something extra for yards after catch, so our tackling is going to be key." - Paul Haynes, defensive..."
Who's really No. 1?
October 2, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Top two units in Big Ten square off - It's the Big Ten's No. 1 offense against the Big Ten's No. 1 defense, and in three days, one of them may be exposed as a fraud. When Purdue's offense, averaging 495 yards per game, and Ohio State's defense, giving up just 197 yards per game, hook up at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, both can't live up to their rankings. Though the No. 4 Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) and No. 23 Purdue (5-0, 2-0) meet in this week's only matchup of undefeated teams, it remains difficult to be completely impressed with their accomplishments..."
 | Transcript From Coach Tressel Weekly Press Conference
October 2, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Welcome. It was good to get to Minneapolis and have a chance to have a new experience for this group and come back with a victory. It seems like every time we go there, it's a struggle, and we're proud with the way the kids came up with the win and..."
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| Jim Tressel conference call
October 2, 2007 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel addressed the media today in a Big Ten conference call. Tressel discussed the win over Minnesota, the upcoming game against Purdue and more." |
Quotes from Coach
October 4, 2007 Source: CoachTressel.com - "'What I'm impressed with Purdue about, outside of the fact that I think Joe Tiller has done one of the finest jobs anywhere in our conference for the past 11 years, he happens to have a team that has 26 seniors, 14 of them are fifth-year guys, very mature, very poised. They don't get rattled. They come out, obviously very prepared for every game and get after it. If the game all of a sudden tightens a little bit, you can see that doesn't affect them because they've been there and had those experiences.'..."
| Bucknuts TV: Tressel Press Conference
October 2, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The questions weren't all about Purdue or Minnesota during Jim Tressel's Tuesday press conferences -- in fact, they hardly were at all. We have a wrap-up of Tressel's press luncheon and the Big Ten teleconference posted now. EDITOR'S NOTE -- We have a 10-minute video of OSU coach Jim Tressel's press conference from Tuesday..." |
Saine will play again but in reduced role
October 5, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Figuring 15 or 20 plays for freshman Brandon Saine is better than none, Ohio State will play the running back at Purdue on Saturday, 15 days after he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery. Coach Jim Tressel said yesterday that Saine has been cleared to play but that the upper limit for his participation is probably 20 plays. 'I would doubt if we would push it beyond that, because you get the fatigue factor," Tressel said. "But we would like to have him have a handful of plays.'
"Tressel said linebacker Ross Homan will miss his second straight game because of an undisclosed injury he termed as "lingering." Defensive tackle Todd Denlinger is day to day after suffering an injury in practice this week, but he will make the trip. Tressel said linebacker Curtis Terry, out all season because of a high ankle sprain, will redshirt. Freshman linebacker Jermale Hines will travel to Purdue and may see action on special teams but not defense..."
Talkin' Tressel: Preparing For Purdue
October 2, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "In his weekly press luncheon, Jim Tressel shared his thoughts on playing at night -- again -- as well as gave updates on the health of a few injured Buckeyes. Get all the latest right here..."
Tressel Talks Purdue, Much More In Press Conferences
October 2, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "The questions weren't all about Purdue or Minnesota during Jim Tressel's Tuesday press conferences -- in fact, they hardly were at all. We have a wrap-up of Tressel's press luncheon and the Big Ten teleconference posted now..."
Tressel not ready to praise defense
October 3, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "As offensive-minded Purdue awaits, OSU coach says it's too early to know how good his team is...'I don't know that you're far enough into the year to start talking about particular units,' Tressel said. 'Most of us have played one or two conference games throughout the nation. Until you've had to weather your conference, you don't know who you are.'..."
Tressel: Let's focus
October 3, 2007 Source: Canton Repository - "He may not be convinced OSU is worthy of being ranked No. 4. The Buckeyes aren't so sure, either. They will find out Saturday night if pollsters have them properly pegged. OSU plays its second road prime-time game in the Big Ten against No. 23 Purdue. 'We've got a long way to go...' (Tressel) said..."
 | Football Media Luncheon Player Interviews
October 2, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "'It’s a hostile environment and I’ve heard their student section is pretty crazy. It’s also a night game, so the fans will be even louder and pumped up. We have started to prepare for that this week and we better be ready to go in there and execute like we know how.', Brian Robiskie, junior, wide receiver..."
Robiskie breaks out as go-to guy
October 5, 2007 Source: Akron Beacon Journal - "Robiskie, a junior from Chagrin Falls High, leads the Big Ten in yards per catch and yards per game, and he has developed into a bona-fide deep threat for first-year starting quarterback Todd Boeckman, who now looks for Robiskie. 'I just have so much confidence in him that he's going to get open and make a play,' Boeckman said..." |
| Player Interview - Brian Robiskie
October 2, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Wide receiver Brian Robiskie met with the media on Tuesday to discuss last weeked's game at Minnesota and preview the upcoming game at Purdue."
Player Interview - Player Interview - Marcus Freeman
October 2, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "Linebacker Marcus Freeman met with the media on Tuesday to discuss last weeked's game at Minnesota and preview the upcoming game at Purdue." |
 | Player Interview - Brian Robiskie and Marcus Freeman
October 4, 2007 Source: OSU Official Site - "WR Brian Robiskie and LB Marcus Freeman meet with the media to discuss Ohio State's victory over Minnesota and preview the upcoming game at Purdue." (Click on Menu Item: Free Media Player Interview Brian 10/4/2007) |
| Series Information - Tressel Vs. Purdue |
| | Ohio State leads, 35-12-2 | |
| Date | Location | Result |
| 11/10/01 | at Ohio State | OSU, 35-9 |
| 11/9/02 | at Purdue | OSU, 10-6 |
| 11/15/03 | at Ohio State | OSU, 16-13 OT |
| 11/13/04 | at Purdue | Purdue, 24-17 |
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Last Time Out...
October 2, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Another Big Ten night game is next up for the Buckeyes, as they travel to West Lafayette, Ind., to face unbeaten Purdue. Check out how the Buckeyes did against the Purdue in their last meeting in this edition of "Last Time Out..."
'Holy Buckeye!'
October 3, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "On Saturday, the Buckeyes will return to the site of one of the toughest victories in their undefeated national championship season of 2002. Five years later, take a look back at the play now famously referred to as the "Holy Buckeye" that kept the perfect season alive..."
Schedule & Results To Date Ohio State 5-0
Youngstown St. W: 38-6
Akron W: 20-2
Washington W: 14
Northwestern W: 58-7
Minnesota W: 30-7 | | Purdue 5-0
Toledo W: 52-24
Eastern Ill. W: 52-6
Central Mich. W: 45-22
Minnesota W: 45-31
Notre Dame W: 33-19 |
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Saturday's Ohio State game will feature the top two units in the Big Ten. Purdue has the No. 1-ranked offense in the conference in yards gained and points scored. Ohio State has the No. 1-ranked defense in yards allowed and points surrendered. Their stats, gained by Purdue and allowed by Ohio State, with national ranking:
Yards/game
Purdue offense: 495.8 (10) Ohio State defense: 197.6 (2) Points/game
Purdue offense: 45.4 (8) Ohio State defense: 7.2 (3) Rush yds/game
Purdue offense: 186.0 (35) Ohio State defense: 55.0 (4) Pass yds/game
Purdue offense: 309.8 (14) Ohio State defense: 142.6 (6) Turnovers
Purdue offense: 11 (80) Ohio State defense: 10 (50) Plays of more than 20 yards
Purdue offense: 28 Ohio State defense: 8 |
OHIO STATE - Complete Rankings - PURDUE
| Tale of the Tape |
| OSU | Offense | Purdue |
| 35.8 | Pts/gm | 45.4 |
| 423.2 | Total yds/gm | 495.5 |
| 208.0 | Rush yds/gm | 186.0 |
| 43.2 | Carries/gm | 36.8 |
| 4.8 | Yds/carry | 5.1 |
| 215.2 | Pass yds/gm | 257.0 |
| 27.4 | Pass att/gm | 46.4 |
| 12.2 | Yds/completion | 11.3 |
| OSU | Defense | Purdue |
| 7.2 | Pts/gm | 20.4 |
| 197.6 | Total yds/gm | 384.4 |
| 55.0 | Rush yds/gm | 127.4 |
| 29.8 | Carries/gm | 32.2 |
| 1.8 | Yds/carry | 4.0 |
| 142.6 | Pass yds/gm | 257.0 |
| 33.0 | Pass att/gm | 46.4 |
| 7.9 | Yds/completion | 9.8 |
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Ohio State (5-0) at Purdue (5-0)
(Source: CollegeFootballNews.com)
Why to watch: After two years off, Purdue welcomes back both Ohio State and Michigan to the schedule, getting the big boys in back-to-back weeks that could either put the program in a top five land of superpowers, or relegate it to midlevel Big Ten status yet again. Ohio State benefited as much as anyone off of all the upsets last weekend, and now is within striking distance of being in the national title team photo again. There's still a lot of big games left to be played for the Buckeyes, with at least five battles against likely bowl bound teams still to play after its date in West Lafayette for it toughest test of the year so far. The Boilermakers have put up gaudy numbers, and can't be blamed for Minnesota and Notre Dame not being any good, but they're still not getting much in the way of national respect despite starting off 5-0. With Wisconsin and a rising Illinois off the schedule, things don't look too bad over the second half of the year, but Purdue first has to take advantage of the biggest home game on the docket.
Why Ohio State might win: Purdue, meet a real defense. Real defense, welcome to Purdue. There's no questioning the Boilermaker offensive talent, led by the best receiving corps in the Joe Tiller era, but the best defense the attack has faced yet has been ... Notre Dame? Yes, and it's not even close. Minnesota is 117th in the nation in total D. Central Michigan 116th. Purdue 109th. Sure, Purdue had something to do with the stats, but these defenses really are bad. Meanwhile, the Boilermaker D has been hanging by a thread. No one's been able to run the ball yet, mainly because of bad defenses forcing comebacks with the passing game. That won't be a problem for Ohio State, who should be able to pound the ball as much as it wants to. This might not be the explosive OSU running game of the past, but it's extremely effective. On the flip side ...
Why Purdue might win: Ohio State hasn't faced anyone who can throw, and it certainly hasn't seen a receiving corps like this one. Minnesota and Washington have good young quarterbacks, and Northwestern's offense isn't without its charm, but Purdue is at a higher level of proficiency, with excellent balance, enough weapons to play around with several options every time Curtis Painter drops back, and a line that's keeping everyone upright. Unlike the Washington game, when Jake Locker got the Huskies up early, only to see the offense stagnate in the second half, Purdue will bring it all game long. If OSU gets up early, it has to maintain the intensity or Purdue will use the lull to go on a run.
Who to watch: Indiana's James Hardy and Michigan's Mario Manningham might have something to say in the discussion, but it'll be hard to keep Ohio State's Brian Robiskie and Purdue's Dorien Bryant from being the first team All-Big Ten receivers. Robiskie hasn't just replaced Ted Ginn as a number one target, it could be argued that he's been better. While he doesn't have Ginn's blazing speed, he's a big target who's great at getting deep, averaging 21 yards per catch with six scores in his last five games. He's the human victory cigar. Even when he's scored early so far, when he gets in the end zone, it's over. On the other side, Bryant has toiled in relative obscurity, despite making a bazillion catches over the last four years (actually, he's made 245), and now he's starting to score more. He tore up Minnesota for 150 yards and two scores on 12 catches two weeks ago, and caught eight passes for 82 yards and a score against the Irish. Painter will try to work the passing game around, but when he'll need a big catch, he'll look to No. 9.
What will happen: Ohio State's defense will flex its muscle a bit, stopping Kory Sheets and the Purdue ground game cold, while Chris Wells will run for a 150 yards on the way to a hard-fought sixth win.
CFN Prediction: Ohio State 30 ... Purdue 17 ... Line: Ohio State -7
Must See Rating: (5 Paris on Letterman - 1 Singing Bee) ... 4
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| Ohio State vs. Purdue
October 3, 2007 Source: The Ozone - "Tony Gerdeman's preview of the matchup with Purdue..." |
Preview: OSU vs. Purdue analysis/prediction
October 6, 2007 Source: Dayton Daily News - "Running backs - Purdue senior Kory Sheets may be on his way to his first 1,000-yard season, but he'll be no better than the second-best running back on the field. Edge: OSU. Receivers - The Buckeyes haven't seen senior Dorien Bryant since 2004. And given his breakaway speed, they may not get a good look at him tonight, either. Edge: Purdue..."
 | Buckeyes Face Black-Out As They Visit No. 23 Purdue
October 5, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "After a two-year hiatus, No. 4 Ohio State and No. 23 Purdue will resume their spirited Big Ten rivalry Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium (8 p.m., ABC). Each team comes into the game 5-0 overall on the season. Purdue coach Joe Tiller talked about the importance of this game, the particular match-ups and much more..." |
Purdue presents special teams problems for OSU
October 5, 2007 Source: Mansfield News Journal - "The Buckeyes can't afford to sleep Saturday night on special teams...The Boilermakers enter the tilt ranked No. 1 in the Big Ten and third nationally in kickoff returns. They're averaging 31.3 yards on 20 returns and have taken two back all the way. Dorien Bryant, the league's leading receiver, has one of those touchdowns and is averaging 32.4 yards on 13 runbacks..."
In Buckeyes' nickel defense, Russell looms rather large
October 5, 2007 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "The proliferation of spread offenses in college football has made the nickel defense the standard for most teams, including Ohio State. 'Out of it we can run zone coverage, we can run man-to-man coverage, we can run a lot of blitzes, too,' safety/nickel back Anderson Russell said. 'It gives us a lot of options.'..."
Purdue might be OSU’s biggest test
October 3, 2007 Source: Lima News - "...(Tressel) 'Purdue is a good football team. I’m not sure that it’s are we a good night team or not a good night team, no matter when you play Purdue, you’ve got to be good'...Saturday night’s game could give both OSU and Purdue a better indication of just how good they are this season. The five teams Ohio State has beaten have a combined record of 10-15. Their last seven opponents are 27-8 so far. Purdue’s first five opponents have gone 7-18. The remaining seven are 24-11..."
 | Obscure but vital for No. 4 Buckeyes
Source: Indianapolis Star - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State's All-America linebacker, doesn't care if no one else realizes how good Donald Washington is. Laurinaitis knows. 'He has tremendous athletic ability. He's very underrated,' Laurinaitis said. 'I think he flies under the radar, as do a lot of our defensive players.'..." |
Game Data: Ohio State at Purdue
October 2, 2007 Source: Bucknuts.com - "We have our weekly look at the pertinent information, depth charts and a prediction for Saturday's game between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 23 Purdue in West Lafayette. The game is set for an 8 p.m. start with a split-national telecast on ABC. Click for more..."
Crunching The Numbers: Ohio State at Purdue
October 2, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "You know there is no shortage of numbers ready to be thrown around when a prolific offense gets set to play host to a tenacious defense. Check out some of the important facts and figures involved with Ohio State's big trip to West Lafayette..."
Notebook: Daniels Recovering And More
October 4, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "As the Buckeyes prepare for Purdue, find out the latest on the health of Ohio State quarterbacks coach Joe Daniels, who has the most Buckeye leaves on the squad, what Rory Nicol thinks of playing at Purdue and what Brian Robiskie was thinking when he made his acrobatic touchdown grab against Minnesota last weekend..."
OHIO STATE DEPTH CHART
Purdue Boilermakers Official Site
Cumulative Season Statistics: Team, Individual, Defensive & Combined
Purdue: The Essentials
October 4, 2007 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Players to watch, themes to know - its the essential guide to Purdue, the most important notes about the Boilermakers before Ohio State's trip to West Lafayette's Ross-Ade Stadium..."
Obstacles hinder Purdue pass rush
October 3, 2007 Source: BoilerStation.com - "During its 5-0 start, Purdue's defense has managed to get by without much of a consistent pass rush. That may need to change the next two games, when the Boilermakers take on Ohio State. The problem is, this Purdue defense may not be equipped to deliver in a big way..."
Boilers await showdown
September 25, 2007 Source: BoilerStation.com - "On tap is the biggest game of the season to date for the Boilermakers. The mighty Ohio State Buckeyes are coming to town...There's no denying that a victory over the Buckeyes could set the stage for a very good season possibly becoming a special season..."
Purdue QB Painter ready for national stage against Ohio State
October 3, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "Curtis Painter knows big numbers aren't enough to be remembered as a great quarterback at Purdue. The junior has compiled the kind of statistics that normally would qualify for Heisman Trophy watch lists -- more than 300 yards per game with 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions in five games. But Painter is relatively unknown because he's never led the Boilermakers past a ranked team..."
Purdue playing like two different teams
September 30, 2007 Source: Associated Press - "In the first halves of wins over Central Michigan, Minnesota and Notre Dame, Purdue has outscored its opponents 78-3. In the second halves of those same games, the Boilermakers have been outscored 69-45. The lead was 23-0 against Notre Dame. Purdue ended up winning 33-19. Purdue coach Joe Tiller says the Boilermakers will need every ounce of energy they have against the Buckeyes..."
 | A Summers' Day
October 2, 2007 Source: Purdue Sports Information - "Purdue's vaunted offense may have found a new weapon in placekicker and kickoff artist Chris Summers. Summers' career-high four field goals Saturday helped pave the way to a 33-19 Boilermaker victory over Notre Dame. ..." |
There's a buzz about the Boilers around Lafayette
October 2, 2007 Source: Indianapolis Star - "The Purdue football team had polished off Notre Dame 33-19 Saturday afternoon to improve to 5-0 for the second time since 1945, and the party was nowhere near ending...The hot start has fans buzzing about the Boilermakers, who take their perfect record and No. 23 national ranking into Saturday's home game with No. 4 Ohio State (5-0). 'It's all over town,' coach Joe Tiller's wife, Arnette, said, as she mingled with fans after the game. 'The whole community is happy.'..."
Boiler Sports Report Purdue Scout site
Gold and Black Illustrated Purdue Rivals site
 | #12 Curits Painter RB Vincennes, IN
The senior QB is the statistical leader in the Big Ten having completed 136 of 203 passes (he's 2nd in pass efficiency); has a completion percentage of 67.0; thrown for 1542 yards, an average of 308.4 per game; tossed 18 TD passes and only 3 interceptions; total offense of 310 yards per game is 2nd in the conference. 2006 ranked seventh in nation in total offense (292.3) and seventh in passing yards (284.6) ... led Big Ten in both categories ... ranked second in Big Ten and 24th nationally in points responsible for with average of 12.0 per game. Career: Ranks seventh on Purdue career completions list with 404, seventh with .577 completion percentage, eighth with 700 passing attempts, eighth with 5,275 yards of total offense, ninth with 4,917 passing yards, tied for 11th with 25 passing touchdowns, 12th with 121.6 passing efficiency and 15th with 24 interceptions ... has two 400-yard passing games and four 300-yard passing games. |
 | #9 Dorien Bryant WR Swedesboro, NJ
The senior is the statisical leader in the Big Ten with 40 receptions, average of 8 per game, for 450 yards, which is the third best in the conference; has averaged 11.2 yards per reception; scored 4 TDs; has a long of 53 yards; leads the Big Ten in kick return average with 32.4; 193.6 yards per game is first in the conference in all purpose yardage. 2006 topped team with 87 receptions for 1,068 receiving yards (12.3 average) and six receiving touchdowns. Career: Ranks third on Purdue career receptions list with 205, third with 4,098 all-purpose yards, fourth with 2,612 receiving yards, sixth with 1,118 kickoff return yards, 12th with 13 receiving touchdowns, tied for 14th with 21.5-yard kickoff return average and 16th with 20 total touchdowns ... has six 100-yard receiving games ... one of seven players in school history to record 100-plus yards in two statistical categories in same game and one of two to accomplish feat twice. |
 | #5 Terrell Vinson CB Irvine, CA
The senior cornerback is tied for the team lead with 34 tackles, 29 of which are solo tackles, an average of 6.8 per game; is second in the league in passes defended. 2006: Signed with Purdue prior to start of training camp ... did not play in first two games while gaining eligibility ... started last 11 games ... led team with seven pass breakups ... ranked fifth with 73 tackles (57 solo, 16 assists), including 2.0 for loss, with one interception and one forced fumble ... made first start vs. Ball State on Sept. 16 and came up with key interception in end zone ... had season-high nine tackles (8 solo, 1 assist) at Notre Dame on Sept. 30 ... recorded two pass breakups vs. Penn State on Oct. 28 ... had season-high three pass breakups and seven solo tackles vs. Indiana on Nov. 18. |
 | #59 Stanford Keglar LB Indianapolis, IN
The redshirt senior linebacker is tied for the team lead with 34 tackles, an average of 6.8 per game. 2006: Appeared in all 14 games, including 10 starts ... had 69 tackles (46 solo, 23 assists), including 2.0 for loss, with five pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery ... had interception vs. Indiana State on Sept. 2 ... forced fumble and recorded eight tackles (3 solo, 5 assists) vs. Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 9 ... established career high with 10 tackles (5 solo, 5 assists) and recovered fumble vs. Ball State on Sept. 16 ... had six tackles (5 solo, 1 assist) at Notre Dame on Sept. 30 ... came up with team-leading nine tackles (5 solo, 4 assists) vs. Maryland in Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29. |
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