Purdue football kicks off
Sunday
 By
Greg Doddridge
Staff Writer
Purdue coach Joe Tiller assessed Sunday's game
plan succinctly, with an ode to the obvious.
"Get an early lead and build on it," said Tiller,
whose Boilermakers play at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in Cincinnati.
His strategy was just as simple.
"Cincinnati's pro-set formation forces us to be
quick on defense and cover the flats," said Tiller.
The Bearcats' running back combination of senior
Ray Jackson (201 carries for 808 yards with six touchdowns in 2000)
and junior DeMarco McCleskey (121 carries for 500 yards), nicknamed
the Mack and Jack Attack, line up behind an offensive line that has
65 career starts between the five linemen.
"I will be surprised if they do not run the football
against us," said Tiller. "I say that not necessarily because of what
we are doing defensively, but because of the strength of their offense."
Purdue counters with a defense that returns 10
starters from last year. The defensive line is led by sophomore end
Shaun Phillips and senior end Akin Ayodele, who are both 6 feet, 3 inches
and weigh about 252 pounds.
The Bearcats will use all-conference tackle Shawn
Murphy (6-4, 290) and returning starter Josh Gardner (6-4, 282) to try
to stop Ayodele and Phillips from hindering the offense.
"They've got two big ends who are very active,"
said Cincinnati coach Rick Minter. "These guys are the real deal coming
off the edge and that's as big a concern as we have, just with our tackles
holding up those guys on the run and pass."
Purdue's offensive line is looking to hold up as
well this Sunday. The offensive line has been the subject of questions
in the preseason concerning inexperience.
The five have started a total of 30 games. Three
of the linemen have never started a game as an offensive lineman.
"We'll check the cohesiveness of the offensive
line at 2:35 (Cincinnati time) on Sunday," joked Tiller.
The line has the job of protecting redshirt freshman
quarterback Brandon Hance in his first start as a Boiler. Tiller has
made the point of mentioning that a test of the line will come with
Cincinnati blitzes.
"They have one defensive end that is as quick as
either of our two guys and maybe even quicker," said Tiller.
That would be junior Antwan Peek. He had 37 tackles,
8.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits last year for the Bearcats. Peek is
6-2, 230 pounds.
"I know our hands are full," said Minter. "Purdue
is a heck of a football team."
Tiller said it is pretty safe to assume that Purdue
is one of Cincinnati's top opponents.
"Cincinnati is really looking forward to playing
this football game," said Tiller. "And I think they are going to take
to the field with a lot of confidence."
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