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Purdue grapples with unfamiliar
questions at media event
By Paul Trembacki
Sports
Editor
CHICAGO — After being confronted with an unusual
amount of questions concerning the power of Purdue’s defensive
unit, coach Joe Tiller expressed how odd it was.
"The coin’s been flipped," Tiller
said. "I mean, before no one wanted to talk about defense but me.
Now no one wants to talk about our offense."
"That’s different for us. We’re
certainly not used to that.
No, Tiller and the Boilers have been known for
their high-scoring, spread-out offense in recent years. However, at
the 30th annual 2001 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon Wednesday and Thursday,
Tiller heard more hype and praise regarding the defense and the 10 of
11 starters that return this year.
"Ten of 11? That’s almost unheard of,"
Illinois quarterback Kurt Kittner said. "Everyone focuses on Purdue’s
defense, but you don’t go to the Rose Bowl if you have a (bad)
defense."
Defensive end Akin Ayodele, who received several
compliments about the defense from Northwestern quarterback Zak Kustok,
among others, said he felt "weird — really weird" hearing
so much about the possibility of Purdue being known for its defense
this season.
"We’ve still got things to do,"
Ayodele said. "We’re good on paper. We’ve got the size,
the speed and the strength, but we still have to be more aggressive
and get the offense the ball."
But in a conference in which the team with the
best overall defense last year, Michigan State, finished in last place
in the standings, Purdue, as a whole, is not receiving as much recognition
as it has in years past.
Four of six pre-season polls have Purdue ranked
in the top 25, but the Boilers are no higher than No. 19 in any of those
polls. Plus, the media picked Northwestern, Michigan and Ohio State
to finish first, second and third, respectively.
Tiller understood Purdue’s absence in the
top three. Although the Boilermakers won the Big Ten tri-championship
with Northwestern and Michigan last year, appearing in the school’s
first Rose Bowl in 34 years, quarterback Drew Brees, receiver Vinny
Sutherland and four starters from the offensive line have left West
Lafayette for the NFL.
"I look at it from a logical standpoint,"
Tiller said. "I would probably vote the same way if I were voting.
I can understand the logic. I don’t agree with it, but I understand
it."
Tiller also said Northwestern deserved the nod
as pre-season favorite. Northwestern, Purdue’s Homecoming opponent
this season, returns 10 of 11 starters from an offense that set 27 team
records last season. Northwestern senior tailback Damien Anderson, who
led the nation in rushing last season at 171.9 yards per game, was the
media’s pick as preseason offensive player of the year. Wisconsin
tackle Wendell Bryant earned top pre-season defensive honors.
Kustok had a successful first year as a starter
last season for Northwestern, but people were questioning Purdue’s
ability to thrive without Brees, who set 19 school records and 13 conference
marks. Unproven redshirt freshman Brandon Hance will run the offense
this year.
"One of the beauties of college football is
that you have to turn the page," Tiller said. "Brandon Hance
is a different type of quarterback. He likes to run more, and if you
thought Drew Brees was short, Brandon’s 1/2 inch shorter. It should
be entertaining."
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Update:
Hurns
ask for, receives release from team
Aug. 3
Coverage:
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death raises concerns among Big Ten coaches
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Purdue
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