Spring practice begins

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

As Matt Mitrione strolled onto the field for the Purdue football team's first spring practice Wednesday, there was something missing from his outfit.

He had a new, lightweight, white helmet — not a gold one with a 'P' and a rose on it.

The rose was still on most of the other players' helmets, but the Boilers are forgetting about the 34-24 loss to Washington Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl and focusing on the present.

Last spring coach Joe Tiller constantly reminded his team to finish — because they hadn't in blowing a 25-0 lead and losing 28-25 in overtime to the Georgia Bulldogs the New year's Day beforehand. This offseason has been different so far.

"We haven't made much reference to the Rose Bowl because I think everybody else reminds them about it," Tiller said. "We're trying to get positive."

The loss to the Huskies has made the Boilers hungry for a New Year's Day bowl win, not depressed.

"There's going to be no letdown," Mitrione said. "We're going to be better than we were last year because we're more intense and we're more focused."

The Boilers went 8-4 and captured the Big Ten tri-championship last season, but seventeen players, including quarterback Drew Brees, receiver Vinny Sutherland and four starters from the offensive line, have used up their eligibility.

"Team-wise we're not going to be as gifted as we were last year, but we're going to work so much harder and we're going to make it up," Mitrione said.

The work began at the intramural fields Wednesday afternoon, and most people were having fun despite the cold weather and hard field. The Boilers will continue to practice each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until the Black & Gold game April 21.

"I think we're in pretty good shape and we're going to be able to get our work done this spring without sacrificing anything from a conditioning standpoint," Tiller said.

Motivation won't be hard to find for the Boilers this spring, Mitrione said.

"Everybody challenges each other all the time," Mitrione said. "To get complacent is impossible. You'll get your head put right back where it belongs."

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Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Anne McLaren

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