By Keith Thomas
Staff Writer

Just like last week, the Boilers are coming off a successful weekend of Big Ten action — a sweep of the former Big Ten leader Illinois — to host a non-conference game.

At 3 p.m. this afternoon at Lambert Field, Purdue (28-14, 13-7 Big Ten) plays IUPUI (6-28), mindful of what happened one week ago. After winning three of four games against IU last weekend, the Boilers lost 2-1 vs. non-conference foe Indiana State.

With this afternoon’s game having no implications on the Big Ten standings, Coach Doug Schreiber said he is anxious to see how his Boilers respond to success.

"We’ll see if we can come back down to earth," said Schreiber. "We didn’t do it last week against Indiana State. It’s going to take a mature attitude."

With Purdue’s Big Ten-leading pitching staff dominating Illinois’ second-best conference offense over the weekend, the starting pitchers will rest until this weekend's series with Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla.

Freshman starter Sean O’Neil will likely get the start this afternoon and other members of the Boiler pitching staff may see some work in the absence of the starters. Members of the Boiler bullpen did not get a lot of work over the weekend with the starters pitching 21.4 of the 32 innings against the Illini.

"We’ve just got to get back to work," said Schreiber, not wanting to savor the weekend’s series sweep for too long, nor wanting to look too far down the road. "We’re just worried about being 1-0 after (today)."

For the Boilers to stumble today, it would be at the hands of a Jaguars team that is riding a six-game losing streak and that has lost 14 of their last 15 games.

• Following this afternoon’s game, the Boilers travel to Cincinnati to take on Xavier Wednesday.