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Saturday's spring game to
test quarterback, offense
 By
Kyle Charters
Senior Writer
Tight end Tim Stratton has one goal for the offense
during Saturday's spring game.
"We want to beat the hell out of the defense,"
said the soon-to-be senior. "I hate our defense because they talk too
much. Their mouths are always moving."
After three weeks of practice, the Boilers divided
into two squads on Tuesday. They will play at 11 a.m. Saturday in Ross-Ade
Stadium. The game is open to the public and admission is free.
The Black Team features Stratton, backup quarterback
Ben Smith, running back Montrell Lowe, defensive tackle Craig Terrill,
linebacker Joe Odom and safety Stu Schweigert.
Freshman quarterback Brandon Hance will start for
the Gold Team. Also on the Gold Team are center Gene Mruczkowski, wide
receiver John Standeford, defensive ends Akin Ayodele and Shaun Phillips
and cornerback Ashante Woodyard.
"I'm excited to see what we've got," said Stratton.
"We split the teams pretty evenly (on Tuesday) in the draft."
The Boilers have spent much of spring practice
trying to integrate six new starters into their offense. The defense
hasn't had to adjust as much; it returns 10 of its 11 starters.
"We'd like to see guys compete and see if we can
handle game-type conditions," said Purdue coach Joe Tiller. "That's
why we do a game rather than a scrimmage. That's always important to
us — clock management."
Tiller said he is particularly interested to see
how Hance, a redshirt freshman, responds in his first test as the possible
replacement to former quarterback Drew Brees.
"I'm always anxious to see the quarterbacks respond
in a game," said Tiller. "I like what Hance has done out here."
Although Hance will start for the Gold Team, he
will also play some for the Black Team. Hance, who's generously listed
at 6-foot-1, will play the first, second and third quarters for the
Gold Team. He'll play the fourth quarter with Stratton on the Black
Team just to get a better feel for all of his receivers.
"He's picked up right where Drew left off as far
as knowing the offense," said Stratton. "He's seeing the checks. He's
seeing the audibles. He's seeing a lot of what Drew saw. There's still
a couple of plays where I know that Drew would put the ball differently,
but I'm giving Brandon a lot of credit for picking up the slack."
Stratton said he wants to see the offense operate
with more consistency during this weekend.
"If you look at our last couple of scrimmages,
we've played good in the red zone but not good in the field," said Stratton.
"Last Saturday, we were all right and a little more balanced, but I
think if we're even more balanced this Saturday, then it will just prove
to ourselves and our fans that we can do it."
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Brees
feels a draft
Cooper
anticipates 2001 WNBA draft
Healthy
Douglas hopes to realize dream
Saturday's
spring game to test quarterback, offense
Light,
linemen anticipate getting selected in draft
First-place
Purdue prepares for Illinois series
Track
athletes juggle studies, meets
Boilers
look for next conference victory
Purdue
to play key weekend matchups
Boilers
start road trip with loss
Soccer
team looks to win
SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111
ext. 251
Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki
Assistant sports
editor:
Anne
McLaren
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send a letter to the editor, please email opinions@purdueexponent.org
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