Today's bowl game seemed to be more important in the broader sense for the program than just what happened on the field. As we've said for a long time and as readers reiterated via Twitter and here, a .500 team from the B1G should beat a MAC team. Period. And while the game leaves us with a slightly-sweet taste in our mouths to savor until Spring football, it had some putrid flavors as well.
I worried about Purdue's DBs and DEs struggling against WMU's pass-happy offense...they did; to the tune of allowing WMU's Carder to pass for 439 yards and three TDs. I was concerned about stupid penalties and generally-stupid play killing my Boilers...it did. But, I was wrong about the outcome; thankfully. Purdue had a double-digit lead at the half and kept the Broncos down for most of the half by a similar margin, but after a few great plays followed by bone-headed situational awareness, Purdue put WMU in a position to win in the closing half.
First, in the third quarter, as Purdue held a commanding lead of 34-18, Gerald Gooden intercepted a WMU pass and headed up the sideline while palming the ball with his left hand like a mini basketball. Instead of putting WMU away, Gooden's lack of situational awareness gave the ball back and WMU scored minutes later making the game 34-25.
In the fourth quarter, it was de ja vu all over again as Ryan Russell picked up a fumble and ran about 30 yards before losing a fumble at around midfield. The result was WMU scored a few minutes later and made the game a 37-32 game; Purdue held onto that five point for the victory.
Showing posts with label Joe Holland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Holland. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Scale: IU
Monday, November 14, 2011
Senior Week at Ross Ade
Here's a look at some of Purdue's Class of 2012
Joe Holland
Holland was a safety in high school and was cut from a similar cloth as one of my Purdue favorites, Jason Werner. Like Werner, the Purdue coaches thought he'd be a good LB in college. Unlike Werner, he had to start his Freshman season at the position. He was underweight and like most Freshman, didn't quite know what was going on all the time. The result was he'd get picked on by opposing coaches. But, he kept at it doing everything he could to stop opponents.
Four seasons later, he's started nearly 40 games and is an anchor on defense who regularly leads the team in tackles. There are people who say the kid can't play the game...I'd say those people don't know football. He's been surrounded by players that are out of position more than they're not...and been a part of a scheme that has put him and his teammates on a collision course with failure time and again...but injuries and hurt pride never slowed him down. In fact, many games during his career he didn't come out for a down...and he played some special teams. He's been durable, hard-working and solid...Plus, along with Lichtenberg, he's hilarious off the field.
An added note about him- he grew up an ND fan as his parents are both grads, but early in his career he had completely divorced himself from that evil habit. I for one am glad Joe Holland is a Boilermaker.
Robert Marve
Justin Siller
Siller has had probably the second most interesting career at Purdue. He started at QB, was moved to RB, then back to QB then to WR then to QB (before being injured) then back to WR. He also played safety (at least in practice) at one time or another.
He was thrust into action when Curtis Painter went down to injury and started at quarterback for a couple games. He could have greatly-benefited from a bit more time to learn, BUT his athleticism, vision and attitude made him a pretty good quarterback in spite of an odd throwing motion and inexperience. He helped Purdue beat Michigan on the back of the hook and lateral play. His future as Purdue's QB looked pretty bright.
But, after losing a season due to breaking academic rules, Siller got back in the good graces of Hope's staff and was back on the team.
Most-recently, he's been a solid contributor at WR...one of his best games came last Saturday. He didn't have the biggest stats, but blocked great, caught some tough balls that kept drives going and played some wildcat (as he has been for chunks of this season). I'll bet we'll see Siller throw a pass (or two) more before his career is over.
Carson Wiggs
Wiggs was an immediate starter when he got on campus contributing in both kicking and punting (situational). Wiggy struggled with accuracy at times early in his career, but has been able to crush the ball from day one. His first successful field goal as a Boilers was a 53 yarder v. aOSU which tied a Purdue record...that he later broke. First, he broke his own mark by hitting a 55 yard field goal, again versus Ohio State a season later, then crushed one the following season of 59 yards v. Toledo. He's hit over 71% of his field goals while in the gold and black, ranking him first all-time for the program.
He's an internet sensation because of his succession of FGs during the spring game last year...they began in the 50s and finally ended with a 67 yarder. Hope wanted to give him the opportunity to kick a 70 yarder this season to set the all-time NCAA mark, which we haven't yet seen an attempt close to that.
Off the field, Wiggs is another of the big personalities on the team and his interviews typically show his fun-loving nature. His handle on Twitter is WiggyBank...I assume referencing that he is money when he kicks.
Chris Carlino
Was thrust into action early in his career and started a lot of games as a Freshman and Sophomore. As Hope made speed more of a focus at LB, Carlino's time on defense dwindled...but that didn't stop him from contributing. Carlino is a mainstay on kick and punt coverage and is the embodiment of the phrase, "Playing like his hair is on fire."
He's a wildman...looks the part...plays the part...revels in acting like a crazy person on the field. He's not the greatest athlete on the team, but playing with reckless abandon makes him a favorite of mine.
Kurt Lichtenberg
A big special teams guy and former walkon who has made a difference both on the field and off of it. He's a huge clown and his camp videos are some of my favorite things to watch in the late summer.
When not acting the fool, Lichtenberg is a good student and an all-around good guy. He does a lot of work for local charities and has taken mission trips to Haiti and elsewhere.
Jared Crank
A true fullback who saw the field from the very beginning of his career. This season, he's carried the ball quite a bit more than previous seasons as a change up to Bolden and Shavers. While a wrecking ball when blocking, he also has nifty moves...he plays with a chip on his shoulder which I like to see.
Albert Evans
He played quite a bit as an underclassman...and has continued that throughout his career with the exception only coming from injury. Evans is a hard-hitting guy who's made some of the most-memorable plays for the Purdue defense in the last four seasons. Most recently, his interception and 50+ yard return from the end zone v. Penn State helped keep Purdue in that contest.
Gerald Gooden
Gooden has been a starter for much of his career. He's been hampered by multiple injuries that probably kept him from reaching his full potential. But, his biggest enemy might have been high expectations. Many thought he was the heir to the DE throne in the wake of Kerrigan's departure, but that hasn't been the case. He's been a solid player during his career.
Waynelle Gravesande
Like Gooden, Gravesande isn't the best athlete on the team. But, his ability to play smart and play hard has helped him end his career very well. Coming into Purdue, I thought Gravesande might be able to make an impact a bit earlier, but it wasn't to be. Instead, he's been a sure-handed punt returner when no one else on the team seemed to be able or brave enough to stand back there in front of the firing squad. He runs crisp routes and is sure-handed...I think he should be a starter at WR, or at least be seeing more time on the field because of his consistency.
Nick Mondek
Started very early in his career at DT...and was a pretty good tackle. But, Hope wanted him on the other side of the ball due to need on the offensive line. It took him about a half season before he got comfortable on that side, but now is a solid lineman. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and has just enough nastiness to make him fearsome.
Sean Matti
Loved watching this kid play in the spring games...had a great one last Spring reminding me a lot of Dan Dierking during the contest.
Matti died prior to the season of drowning and has been honored all season by the team with 22 decals on the back of their helmets.
Logan Link
A walk-on turned starter, Link has become an important part of the Boiler defense. He's not the fastest guy, but he hits hard and gives everything he's got every down. The defensive scheme hasn't helped him much, nor has the lack of development of some of the younger safeties...but he's the type of player that just comes to the game and does what he's asked to do.
He's got great size, but his ability to change directions always hampered him a bit...in my opinion he might have been a pretty solid free safety.
Kevin Ballinger
He's a fellow blogger whose videos and posts provide some insight into being a walkon at Purdue, but more than that are flat-out funny. His videos also show the important role he plays on this team. Plus, he's a pretty good snapper and his importance on the field shouldn't be discounted.
Dennis Kelly
Kelly is a giant who looks to be on a collision course with the NFL. When he arrived at Purdue he was tall, but very lean for a lineman. But (and I think we've heard this before), he was forced into action a bit earlier than planned. His Freshman year was a learning experience for him as he went against guys who could flat out manhandle him. That's not the case anymore as Kelly has become the most-consistent and reliable offensive lineman.
He's tall has long arms that can create space in pass blocking and hasn't lost his good footwork in spite of gaining a few pounds since he arrived on campus.
Also being honored on Saturday:
Austin Moret
Brad Neimeier
Spencer Dawson
Adam Brockman
DeVarro Greaves
Dan Berry
James Shepherd
Charlton Williams
Joe Holland
Holland was a safety in high school and was cut from a similar cloth as one of my Purdue favorites, Jason Werner. Like Werner, the Purdue coaches thought he'd be a good LB in college. Unlike Werner, he had to start his Freshman season at the position. He was underweight and like most Freshman, didn't quite know what was going on all the time. The result was he'd get picked on by opposing coaches. But, he kept at it doing everything he could to stop opponents.
Four seasons later, he's started nearly 40 games and is an anchor on defense who regularly leads the team in tackles. There are people who say the kid can't play the game...I'd say those people don't know football. He's been surrounded by players that are out of position more than they're not...and been a part of a scheme that has put him and his teammates on a collision course with failure time and again...but injuries and hurt pride never slowed him down. In fact, many games during his career he didn't come out for a down...and he played some special teams. He's been durable, hard-working and solid...Plus, along with Lichtenberg, he's hilarious off the field.
An added note about him- he grew up an ND fan as his parents are both grads, but early in his career he had completely divorced himself from that evil habit. I for one am glad Joe Holland is a Boilermaker.
Robert Marve
It's tough to look past what this guy was in high school and why he was so highly-touted. He broke a bunch of the records that Tebow set in the state of Florida. And when he had it down to Purdue or Miami for where he'd spend the next four years, he stayed close to home. After a medical redshirt year due to breaking his non-throwing hand in a car wreck, Marve played in 11 games as a Freshman, starting in most of them. He and the former UM coach didn't get along, so Marve transferred to Purdue.
Just months after his decision to come to God's country, he tore his ACL. But the forced year off of football due to transfer rules gave him time to get healthy. After starting three games and an OK start to his Purdue career, he tore the same ACL again on a non-contact play.
Coming into this season, he wasn't 100%...not even close, actually. He was sore, apprehensive and mentally not completely healed. So TerBush got the starting job from day1 after Henry also went down due to an ACL injury.
Much of the season, Marve has been the second option in a two-QB system...some (like me) see that he has a ton of tools in the shed and have been disappointed not to see him play more often. Others still aren't overly-impressed with the Tampa Plant HS product. But last week he changed the way he'll be viewed by many Purdue fans by willing Purdue to an overtime victory (with the help of his teammates).
Only the inconsistent NCAA knows if it'll grant him a 5th year of eligibility. Most think not because of his involvement in the scandal while at Miami...but this is the same NCAA that granted the troubled, but talented Torri Williams one more year, so anything can happen.
Hopefully I'll have the chance to write another one of these next year when he and TerBush graduate together.
Siller has had probably the second most interesting career at Purdue. He started at QB, was moved to RB, then back to QB then to WR then to QB (before being injured) then back to WR. He also played safety (at least in practice) at one time or another.
He was thrust into action when Curtis Painter went down to injury and started at quarterback for a couple games. He could have greatly-benefited from a bit more time to learn, BUT his athleticism, vision and attitude made him a pretty good quarterback in spite of an odd throwing motion and inexperience. He helped Purdue beat Michigan on the back of the hook and lateral play. His future as Purdue's QB looked pretty bright.
But, after losing a season due to breaking academic rules, Siller got back in the good graces of Hope's staff and was back on the team.
Most-recently, he's been a solid contributor at WR...one of his best games came last Saturday. He didn't have the biggest stats, but blocked great, caught some tough balls that kept drives going and played some wildcat (as he has been for chunks of this season). I'll bet we'll see Siller throw a pass (or two) more before his career is over.
Wiggs was an immediate starter when he got on campus contributing in both kicking and punting (situational). Wiggy struggled with accuracy at times early in his career, but has been able to crush the ball from day one. His first successful field goal as a Boilers was a 53 yarder v. aOSU which tied a Purdue record...that he later broke. First, he broke his own mark by hitting a 55 yard field goal, again versus Ohio State a season later, then crushed one the following season of 59 yards v. Toledo. He's hit over 71% of his field goals while in the gold and black, ranking him first all-time for the program.
He's an internet sensation because of his succession of FGs during the spring game last year...they began in the 50s and finally ended with a 67 yarder. Hope wanted to give him the opportunity to kick a 70 yarder this season to set the all-time NCAA mark, which we haven't yet seen an attempt close to that.
Off the field, Wiggs is another of the big personalities on the team and his interviews typically show his fun-loving nature. His handle on Twitter is WiggyBank...I assume referencing that he is money when he kicks.
Chris Carlino
Was thrust into action early in his career and started a lot of games as a Freshman and Sophomore. As Hope made speed more of a focus at LB, Carlino's time on defense dwindled...but that didn't stop him from contributing. Carlino is a mainstay on kick and punt coverage and is the embodiment of the phrase, "Playing like his hair is on fire."
He's a wildman...looks the part...plays the part...revels in acting like a crazy person on the field. He's not the greatest athlete on the team, but playing with reckless abandon makes him a favorite of mine.
Kurt Lichtenberg
A big special teams guy and former walkon who has made a difference both on the field and off of it. He's a huge clown and his camp videos are some of my favorite things to watch in the late summer.
When not acting the fool, Lichtenberg is a good student and an all-around good guy. He does a lot of work for local charities and has taken mission trips to Haiti and elsewhere.
Jared Crank
A true fullback who saw the field from the very beginning of his career. This season, he's carried the ball quite a bit more than previous seasons as a change up to Bolden and Shavers. While a wrecking ball when blocking, he also has nifty moves...he plays with a chip on his shoulder which I like to see.
Albert Evans
He played quite a bit as an underclassman...and has continued that throughout his career with the exception only coming from injury. Evans is a hard-hitting guy who's made some of the most-memorable plays for the Purdue defense in the last four seasons. Most recently, his interception and 50+ yard return from the end zone v. Penn State helped keep Purdue in that contest.
Gerald Gooden
Gooden has been a starter for much of his career. He's been hampered by multiple injuries that probably kept him from reaching his full potential. But, his biggest enemy might have been high expectations. Many thought he was the heir to the DE throne in the wake of Kerrigan's departure, but that hasn't been the case. He's been a solid player during his career.
Waynelle Gravesande
Like Gooden, Gravesande isn't the best athlete on the team. But, his ability to play smart and play hard has helped him end his career very well. Coming into Purdue, I thought Gravesande might be able to make an impact a bit earlier, but it wasn't to be. Instead, he's been a sure-handed punt returner when no one else on the team seemed to be able or brave enough to stand back there in front of the firing squad. He runs crisp routes and is sure-handed...I think he should be a starter at WR, or at least be seeing more time on the field because of his consistency.
Nick Mondek
Started very early in his career at DT...and was a pretty good tackle. But, Hope wanted him on the other side of the ball due to need on the offensive line. It took him about a half season before he got comfortable on that side, but now is a solid lineman. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and has just enough nastiness to make him fearsome.
Sean Matti
Loved watching this kid play in the spring games...had a great one last Spring reminding me a lot of Dan Dierking during the contest.
Matti died prior to the season of drowning and has been honored all season by the team with 22 decals on the back of their helmets.
Logan Link
A walk-on turned starter, Link has become an important part of the Boiler defense. He's not the fastest guy, but he hits hard and gives everything he's got every down. The defensive scheme hasn't helped him much, nor has the lack of development of some of the younger safeties...but he's the type of player that just comes to the game and does what he's asked to do.
He's got great size, but his ability to change directions always hampered him a bit...in my opinion he might have been a pretty solid free safety.
Kevin Ballinger
He's a fellow blogger whose videos and posts provide some insight into being a walkon at Purdue, but more than that are flat-out funny. His videos also show the important role he plays on this team. Plus, he's a pretty good snapper and his importance on the field shouldn't be discounted.
Dennis Kelly
Kelly is a giant who looks to be on a collision course with the NFL. When he arrived at Purdue he was tall, but very lean for a lineman. But (and I think we've heard this before), he was forced into action a bit earlier than planned. His Freshman year was a learning experience for him as he went against guys who could flat out manhandle him. That's not the case anymore as Kelly has become the most-consistent and reliable offensive lineman.
He's tall has long arms that can create space in pass blocking and hasn't lost his good footwork in spite of gaining a few pounds since he arrived on campus.
Also being honored on Saturday:
Austin Moret
Brad Neimeier
Spencer Dawson
Adam Brockman
DeVarro Greaves
Dan Berry
James Shepherd
Charlton Williams
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Tampa Kid Finishes Strong: Another Look at Yesterday's Win
I promised J that I'd post last night, but after heading straight out of West LaFiesta after the most-recent shocker of aOSU, I had plans back in the Indy area. At the end of the night, I was exhausted. So if you got a few minutes and are still jonesin' for some flavor from yesterday's game, this piece is for you.
This morning, my throat hurts and my voice is still gone as a physical reminder of yesterday's OT victory. Ohio State fans called the '09 game "Purdue Harbor" as the Buckeyes were physically superior, highly-ranked and fully expecting an easy win in Ross Ade...but there's the rub, right? Purdue has taken Bucknut teams to the brink before- easy wins are the exception, not the norm in this series over the past few decades...and I have no idea why. Both Joe Tiller and Danny Hope had and have no fear of the scarlet and gray. (Kinda wish we could say the same for some other color combos.)
My older brother and I got to go to the game...and BS's good pal Ed down in Texas provided the club level seats.
I had never sat in that section...I had toured the facility, but and marveled how this didn't look like Purdue football years ago, but yesterday I got to watch from it. It's a bit cloistered, but not as much as the super-high-end Buchannan Club. You've heard me complain about Purdue fans not being enthusiastic enough...and I'll still do that because as a group, we're not vociferous-enough on gameday, in my opinion. But the people around me in Section C-2 were pretty great...with one exception.
There was a young kid down to my right who kind of was the section leader- probably 12 years old, this kid was more situationally-aware than any Purdue coach on the sideline or QB on the roster...and along with the young guy, there were old wealthy alums and families around our seats. And the best part- not one of them told me to sit down all day (that's all but guaranteed to happen usually, sadly).
I had the chance to stop by the Purdue Tailgate Show prior to the game...and neither of the hosts, nor myself felt good about this one. If you came by this site on Friday, you heard the same thing at that time...and not just from me. But as I said following the Illinois game, I love being wrong in the way I was this week.
Let's be honest for a moment though- this year's Purdue team is enigmatic. As aOSU comes off of three straight victories (two v. ranked opponents) and Buckeye fans were predicting a run at the B1G championship, Purdue was coming off of two of the ugliest losses in recent memory. Purdue had no offensive rhythm the past two weeks...couldn't run the ball...couldn't stop the run...and looked like a gradeschool team in really nice uniforms at times versus a bunch of grown-arsed men.
But from the kickoff under a beautiful sky in God's country, yesterday's game was different. Purdue's front played resolute on defense getting into the backfield and hitting Boom Herron immediately after he got the ball. And on the other side, the offensive line was giving TerBush time and Bolden space to do what they needed to do. And at the end of the first quarter, the good guys were up 10-0 and the RA faithful let the team know how much they appreciated the effort.
But as it's been in many games this season, the second quarter was different...at least it felt that way. aOSU now had the stiff wind at their backs and Purdue was heading directly into it...and the Bucks could at least move the ball. They put points on the board as the TerBush-led offense struggled to get into rhythm. Then late in the quarter, Marve came in and led Purdue on a drive that was mostly on the ground, but earned our Boilers 7...and the score was 17-7 at the half.
While the score didn't look like it, it kind of felt like aOSU had figured some things out...and the third quarter showed that. Even with Herron unavailable after being dinged up by the stingy (at times) Purdue defense, the Buckeyes began to move the ball...and everyone was getting involved in it. Miller looked tough creating time as Purdue would collapse his pocket, their wildcat offense was extremely-effective and they chewed up yards in the way I expected the Bucks to do coming into the contest. In fact the only thing that wasn't working was vertical routes, but that didn't stop the coaches on the evil sideline from calling the plays nor did it deter Miller from overthrowing his receivers by 7-10 yards with regularity. Watching Miller in person showed me a few things though. If he had a better system to play within, I think he'd be a pretty damned good QB. He's no Pryor in the fact that he makes good fakes, actually reads the defenses, has a better throwing motion, keeps his eyes downfield and doesn't seem at all lazy. This makes him a potentially-great quarterback, in my opinion (eventually).
So while the Buckeyes weren't lighting up the scoreboard, they were definitely winning the field position battle...and at the end of three, they had drawn the game to just a three-point margin. I think the whole stadium felt rightfully-antsy as the fourth quarter started and aOSU climbed back into the game. And even with the wind at their back, Purdue couldn't get back into the rhythm we had seen in the first quarter. Other than Ralph Bolden's shiftily chewing up the Buckeye defense, Crank being efficient when given limited opportunities and Siller playing a very solid game, there wasn't a whole bunch of production out of the good guys.
So after a decent drive stalled in aOSU territory, Wiggs put the final Purdue points on the board in regulation in the fourth quarter and the good guys were up by six points.
Herron came back in the game and made a difference earning tough yards. aOSU's wildcat was effective again and each time Purdue's defense needed a stop on 3rd and long, Purdue's defense couldn't come up with it. Ohio State got down deep into Purdue territory as the clock ticked down to inside 2:00 and aOSU decided to try to put the game in Miller's hands. Purdue's front collapsed the pocket and Miller narrowly escaped a costly sack as he rolled right and threw off of his back foot across his body. The pass fluttered over Johnson and into the hands of a Buckeye receiver tying the game and seemingly-sealing Purdue's fate. All it would take was a simple point after to put the nail in Purdue's coffin.
I actually had given up, as a fan. I saw this movie a few years ago in the Holy Buckeye game. Sure, that Tressel-coached team had firepower for days, and the Tiller-coached squad had a ton of pros on defense, but this one felt pretty heartbreaking too...even though the game wasn't yet over.
It's easy to avoid the view on the field when you're 5'4" and everyone's standing around you. So I didn't watch, but I heard the kick get blocked and felt my brother grab and yank me to the side as Purdue still had a pulse. One of Purdue's never-say-die DTs, this time it was Gaston, squirted through the OSU line to get his big paw on the kick...and with the unexpected block, the good guys were alive!
After a decent Mostert return (he didn't get many chances to get his hands on the ball due to deep, wind-aided kick offs...and bad offense) Purdue started the drive with Marve at the controls. And they drove into OSU territory. It looked like Purdue's mega-legged kicker would get a chance to set a record and win a game in the process. Purdue had to avoid the sack or turnover though. But Marve made yet another awful throw when he merely needed to manage the game.
At BS, we like Marve a lot. But as his pass drifted into the hands of the Buckeye safety, I couldn't help but think of a pal of mine's words that said, "Nothing good happens when Marve's in the game". It looked like that might be true yesterday.
But as the Fightin' Fickells decided to run out the regulation clock, we knew that Purdue would at least have a shot at winning in front of the small, but passionate home crowd.
aOSU got the ball first and chose to have the wind at their backs and the Purdue students in their ears. The Boiler defense got tough yet again and forced the 'Nuts into a fieldgoal. So Purdue would take over.
And here's where it gets weird- Robert Marve would get the call, again. I think many Danny Hope detractors were pissed at this point (I could hear a few of them). Purdue struggled against the statistically-stingy Buckeye defense for a few plays. And on third and short, needed to grind out a few yards. And in his first success of the abbreviated drive, Robert Marve finished a run like a halfback a while grinding out a first down...and Purdue again had a pulse.
Again, Purdue was shut down up front and faced a third and long, this time from around OSU's 13. Marve rolled right and found a streaking Gary Bush coming from the left side of the field and put the ball in the right place. Bush controlled the ball and went out of bounds on the one...but the officials wanted to review it.
As Purdue fans, we thought the worst- Bush had bobbled it and there would be no completion...but as they showed the replay on the board, we saw Bush not only control the ball, but extend it toward the pylon and perhaps break the goal line? Hell, we didn't know, the RA video people didn't give us too much to look at...but we all raised both hands to inform the officials that the game should be over. It wasn't...and my favorite football team would have the ball inside the 1 with 4 cracks at earning an improbable victory.
Marve broke huddle in the gun, with Bolden to his side. After some hand signal theatrics, Bolden split wide, the bunch goal line formation flexed out to a spread and Marve got under center.
I began yelling, "Run this damned thing in, Robert...Put 'em away!!" I could see what was coming...but it seemed the Buckeyes didn't know...and they didn't. Gary Nord's not-so-sneaky attack playcall was about to seal the victory.
Marve kept the snap, pushed to the left and broke the imaginary plain with the Nike pigskin...and something very good had happened with Marve under center- The good guys had beaten the unlikable Buckeyes in overtime...and if for just one afternoon, Robert Marve's transfer to Purdue had paid off.
The place erupted, my usually- not-too-emotional brother ran up and down the aisle high fiving...as was everybody...except one guy who had disappeared. The one unpleasant person in our section- a foul-mouthed Buckeye had evaporated. His game-long antagonism had earned Purdue fans the right to put him in his place...but he wasn't there (predictably)...so we enjoyed the victory ourselves.
Up Next
J will be attending a BS summit in God's country next Saturday. So we'll have the chance to meet a couple of you guys (as promised). And once again, we'll be sitting in the higher-brow section of RA thanks to our friend Ed. So you'll get an eye-witness account of Purdue either getting into a bowl game for the first time in four years or forcing a one-game self-imposed playoff v. the lowly Hoosiers in Bloomington.
Nice job Boilers......and congrats to the beleaguered Robert Marve and Danny Hope...But don't savor this victory too long- you guys now have a couple of important football games in front of you...The type of games that could change the trajectory of your Purdue careers.
This morning, my throat hurts and my voice is still gone as a physical reminder of yesterday's OT victory. Ohio State fans called the '09 game "Purdue Harbor" as the Buckeyes were physically superior, highly-ranked and fully expecting an easy win in Ross Ade...but there's the rub, right? Purdue has taken Bucknut teams to the brink before- easy wins are the exception, not the norm in this series over the past few decades...and I have no idea why. Both Joe Tiller and Danny Hope had and have no fear of the scarlet and gray. (Kinda wish we could say the same for some other color combos.)
My older brother and I got to go to the game...and BS's good pal Ed down in Texas provided the club level seats.
I had never sat in that section...I had toured the facility, but and marveled how this didn't look like Purdue football years ago, but yesterday I got to watch from it. It's a bit cloistered, but not as much as the super-high-end Buchannan Club. You've heard me complain about Purdue fans not being enthusiastic enough...and I'll still do that because as a group, we're not vociferous-enough on gameday, in my opinion. But the people around me in Section C-2 were pretty great...with one exception.
There was a young kid down to my right who kind of was the section leader- probably 12 years old, this kid was more situationally-aware than any Purdue coach on the sideline or QB on the roster...and along with the young guy, there were old wealthy alums and families around our seats. And the best part- not one of them told me to sit down all day (that's all but guaranteed to happen usually, sadly).
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| A Jerk Guest on the Purdue Tailgate Show |
Let's be honest for a moment though- this year's Purdue team is enigmatic. As aOSU comes off of three straight victories (two v. ranked opponents) and Buckeye fans were predicting a run at the B1G championship, Purdue was coming off of two of the ugliest losses in recent memory. Purdue had no offensive rhythm the past two weeks...couldn't run the ball...couldn't stop the run...and looked like a gradeschool team in really nice uniforms at times versus a bunch of grown-arsed men.
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| Sexy Beast KK Short played large v. Bucknuts |
But as it's been in many games this season, the second quarter was different...at least it felt that way. aOSU now had the stiff wind at their backs and Purdue was heading directly into it...and the Bucks could at least move the ball. They put points on the board as the TerBush-led offense struggled to get into rhythm. Then late in the quarter, Marve came in and led Purdue on a drive that was mostly on the ground, but earned our Boilers 7...and the score was 17-7 at the half.
While the score didn't look like it, it kind of felt like aOSU had figured some things out...and the third quarter showed that. Even with Herron unavailable after being dinged up by the stingy (at times) Purdue defense, the Buckeyes began to move the ball...and everyone was getting involved in it. Miller looked tough creating time as Purdue would collapse his pocket, their wildcat offense was extremely-effective and they chewed up yards in the way I expected the Bucks to do coming into the contest. In fact the only thing that wasn't working was vertical routes, but that didn't stop the coaches on the evil sideline from calling the plays nor did it deter Miller from overthrowing his receivers by 7-10 yards with regularity. Watching Miller in person showed me a few things though. If he had a better system to play within, I think he'd be a pretty damned good QB. He's no Pryor in the fact that he makes good fakes, actually reads the defenses, has a better throwing motion, keeps his eyes downfield and doesn't seem at all lazy. This makes him a potentially-great quarterback, in my opinion (eventually).
So while the Buckeyes weren't lighting up the scoreboard, they were definitely winning the field position battle...and at the end of three, they had drawn the game to just a three-point margin. I think the whole stadium felt rightfully-antsy as the fourth quarter started and aOSU climbed back into the game. And even with the wind at their back, Purdue couldn't get back into the rhythm we had seen in the first quarter. Other than Ralph Bolden's shiftily chewing up the Buckeye defense, Crank being efficient when given limited opportunities and Siller playing a very solid game, there wasn't a whole bunch of production out of the good guys.
So after a decent drive stalled in aOSU territory, Wiggs put the final Purdue points on the board in regulation in the fourth quarter and the good guys were up by six points.
Herron came back in the game and made a difference earning tough yards. aOSU's wildcat was effective again and each time Purdue's defense needed a stop on 3rd and long, Purdue's defense couldn't come up with it. Ohio State got down deep into Purdue territory as the clock ticked down to inside 2:00 and aOSU decided to try to put the game in Miller's hands. Purdue's front collapsed the pocket and Miller narrowly escaped a costly sack as he rolled right and threw off of his back foot across his body. The pass fluttered over Johnson and into the hands of a Buckeye receiver tying the game and seemingly-sealing Purdue's fate. All it would take was a simple point after to put the nail in Purdue's coffin.
I actually had given up, as a fan. I saw this movie a few years ago in the Holy Buckeye game. Sure, that Tressel-coached team had firepower for days, and the Tiller-coached squad had a ton of pros on defense, but this one felt pretty heartbreaking too...even though the game wasn't yet over.
It's easy to avoid the view on the field when you're 5'4" and everyone's standing around you. So I didn't watch, but I heard the kick get blocked and felt my brother grab and yank me to the side as Purdue still had a pulse. One of Purdue's never-say-die DTs, this time it was Gaston, squirted through the OSU line to get his big paw on the kick...and with the unexpected block, the good guys were alive!
After a decent Mostert return (he didn't get many chances to get his hands on the ball due to deep, wind-aided kick offs...and bad offense) Purdue started the drive with Marve at the controls. And they drove into OSU territory. It looked like Purdue's mega-legged kicker would get a chance to set a record and win a game in the process. Purdue had to avoid the sack or turnover though. But Marve made yet another awful throw when he merely needed to manage the game.
At BS, we like Marve a lot. But as his pass drifted into the hands of the Buckeye safety, I couldn't help but think of a pal of mine's words that said, "Nothing good happens when Marve's in the game". It looked like that might be true yesterday.
But as the Fightin' Fickells decided to run out the regulation clock, we knew that Purdue would at least have a shot at winning in front of the small, but passionate home crowd.
aOSU got the ball first and chose to have the wind at their backs and the Purdue students in their ears. The Boiler defense got tough yet again and forced the 'Nuts into a fieldgoal. So Purdue would take over.
And here's where it gets weird- Robert Marve would get the call, again. I think many Danny Hope detractors were pissed at this point (I could hear a few of them). Purdue struggled against the statistically-stingy Buckeye defense for a few plays. And on third and short, needed to grind out a few yards. And in his first success of the abbreviated drive, Robert Marve finished a run like a halfback a while grinding out a first down...and Purdue again had a pulse.
Again, Purdue was shut down up front and faced a third and long, this time from around OSU's 13. Marve rolled right and found a streaking Gary Bush coming from the left side of the field and put the ball in the right place. Bush controlled the ball and went out of bounds on the one...but the officials wanted to review it.
As Purdue fans, we thought the worst- Bush had bobbled it and there would be no completion...but as they showed the replay on the board, we saw Bush not only control the ball, but extend it toward the pylon and perhaps break the goal line? Hell, we didn't know, the RA video people didn't give us too much to look at...but we all raised both hands to inform the officials that the game should be over. It wasn't...and my favorite football team would have the ball inside the 1 with 4 cracks at earning an improbable victory.
Marve broke huddle in the gun, with Bolden to his side. After some hand signal theatrics, Bolden split wide, the bunch goal line formation flexed out to a spread and Marve got under center.
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| Number one!! (At least it felt like it...for a few minutes) |
Marve kept the snap, pushed to the left and broke the imaginary plain with the Nike pigskin...and something very good had happened with Marve under center- The good guys had beaten the unlikable Buckeyes in overtime...and if for just one afternoon, Robert Marve's transfer to Purdue had paid off.
The place erupted, my usually- not-too-emotional brother ran up and down the aisle high fiving...as was everybody...except one guy who had disappeared. The one unpleasant person in our section- a foul-mouthed Buckeye had evaporated. His game-long antagonism had earned Purdue fans the right to put him in his place...but he wasn't there (predictably)...so we enjoyed the victory ourselves.
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| Walk of Shame (I'm sure the Buckeye near me wasn't the only one in the stadium who was running his mouth during the contest) |
J will be attending a BS summit in God's country next Saturday. So we'll have the chance to meet a couple of you guys (as promised). And once again, we'll be sitting in the higher-brow section of RA thanks to our friend Ed. So you'll get an eye-witness account of Purdue either getting into a bowl game for the first time in four years or forcing a one-game self-imposed playoff v. the lowly Hoosiers in Bloomington.
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| Marve-lous Ending |
But, I can assure you one thing- I'll be wearing my Marve-lous T-shirt and lobbying for the Tampa Kid to be starting the game at QB. If nothing else, he's earned the chance to potentially end his career as the starter on Senior Day. (While we hope Marve will get the one-year of additional eligibility, we're not taking anything for granted)
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