Underachieving Boilers believed preseason praiseBy Stacy ClardieThe Journal Gazette
WEST LAFAYETTE – Despite insisting before the season that preseason rankings didn’t mean a thing, some members of Purdue’s football team are changing their opinions.
A two-game losing streak that included a whipping by rival Notre Dame can force a change in perspective.
Brandon Jones and Rob Ninkovich are saying too many of their teammates believed the hype, and, in turn, play has suffered.
Purdue ranks 110th out of 117 Division I-A schools in total defense, and although the offense is averaging nearly 36 points per game, it hasn’t shown an ability to consistently make big plays in crucial situations.
“I think maybe the media gave us too much credit, and a lot of guys took it to their head and thought they as individuals were better than they were,” Jones said. “Or maybe the offense thought we were too good, or the defense thought they were too good.
“We need to get back down to earth and really come out with a fire and intensity and just play with a chip on our shoulders.”
Jones is quick to say that Purdue (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) still is considering itself in the race for the Big Ten title. He figures the conference champ will have at least one loss.
But certainly the Boilermakers can ill afford another Saturday when they play host to unranked Iowa.
“I think right now we’re soul-searching, trying to find what the big problem is,” Ninkovich said.
Coach Joe Tiller said to expect some young defensive players to see more time, specifically freshmen defensive backs Brandon King, Jason Werner and Brandon Whittington.
With that influx of youth – already, true freshman Kyle Williams and sophomore Cliff Avril have been added to the starting linebacking corps – it’s likely Purdue will get back to basics defensively by limiting coverages and blitzes.
On offense, don’t be surprised if the passing game goes back to being the featured mode of attack.
The option has produced some big plays – a 55-yard touchdown by Jerod Void, an 88-yard run by Kory Sheets – but maybe that’s not enough.
“You’ve got to do what your guys do the best, and maybe we need to back off a little bit in our emphasis (on the option), not abandon it, but back off a little bit and do a couple other things with this quarterback,” Tiller said.
Silencing the stars
Tiller shed light on his surprising gag order of starting quarterback Brandon Kirsch and starting safety Bernard Pollard.
Both apparently were silenced for the same reason: They’re too emotional.
Pollard, who’s from Fort Wayne, already had been barred from speaking to the media this season. A dispute in practice, which resulted in him being kicked out of it, led to the first gag order.
“I just want those guys to slow down a little bit,” Tiller said. “Bernard is a very emotional guy. Bernard has said something to me early in the day and come back and apologize to me later in the day for having said what he said earlier. So we need to help a player like that. We don’t need to throw him to the wolves, or what have you. We need to help him and educate him and get him straightened out.
“Same thing on Brandon. Brandon a lot of times wears his emotions on his shirt sleeve. There’s plusses and minuses to that. I don’t anticipate having these guys be off-limit forever, I just want to help them a little bit.”
On the mend
Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder against the Irish, Tiller said running back Jerod Void is 50-50 to play against Iowa. Currently, though, Sheets is listed as the No. 1 back.
Tiller is more certain about starting cornerback Brian Hickman’s status. Hickman dislocated his elbow against Notre Dame and will be out at least four weeks.
Tiller isn’t sure whether linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu (knee surgery) or tight end Dustin Keller (ankle sprain) will play this weekend.
Suspended
Redshirt sophomore tight end Garret Bushong, 20, was suspended for the Notre Dame game because he was arrested early Friday morning for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (a misdemeanor) and illegal possession of an alcoholic beverage.
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Well gang its that time of year again. The Big Red versus the Big Green for all the marbles!!! Well actually its for the runners up spot in the district and a birth in the playoffs for the state crown. FWB and Choctaw both have loosing records, however FWB has been much more impressive throughout the season. Talent wise its not even close. FWB is faster than Choctaw at every one of the skill position. Choctaw might be larger on the OL and DL, however FWB's speed will negate their size. Being an alum of the Vikes I cannot in good conscience pick against them in this game. However seeing as this game has so much emotion and meaning it will be closer than at first glance. 24-17 VIKES!!!!!
