Turnovers help Boilermakers beat Zips

By Doug Healey
Assistant Sports Editor

Turnovers and big plays helped Purdue's defense overcome early problems with Akron's misdirection offense in the Boilers' 33-14 victory over the Zips.

On the first drive of the game, the Zip offense put together a 10-play, 60-yard drive, scoring on a 2-yard pass from Charlie Frye to Matt Zuercher to take a 7-0 lead. But after that drive, the Boilers' defense held the Zips scoreless until the fourth quarter.

"(Akron's offense) was difficult to handle early on," said Purdue coach Joe Tiller. "But the more looks we got at what they were doing, the better we became at defending it."

Defensive ends Shaun Phillips and Akin Ayodele, who each had five tackles for Purdue (2-0), made adjustments and penetrated Akron's backfield, which took the bootleg and misdirection plays away from Frye, Tiller said.

A crucial moment for the defense came on Akron's third possession of the game right after Frye connected with Jake Schifino for a 46-yard pass play that put the ball inside Purdue's 20-yard line. On the next play, Phillips sacked Frye for a 14-yard loss, pushing the Zips (1-2) back to the 32-yard line and out of field goal range.

"We could have hung our heads, and maybe that's a sign we've matured a little bit over last year," said defensive coordinator Brock Spack. "We knew the series wasn't over, and Shaun Phillips made a big play."

Purdue's defense forced three turnovers in the second quarter. Outside linebacker Landon Johnson and cornerback Antwaun Rogers had interceptions on consecutive series. Craig Terrill recovered a fumble late in the quarter, when the Zips were looking to extend their 7-3 lead.

That wasn't the only big play Terrill made, however. Midway through the third quarter, with Purdue leading 17-7, Akron attempted a fake punt on fourth down, but Terrill wasn't fooled.

"It was kind of a shock," said Terrill. "I noticed my guard was a little heavier than he had been the whole time we were out there for punt, so I just used my normal technique and it came right at me."

The Boilermakers, who moved into the Associated Press Top 25 at No. 24 with the win, came together on offense in the second half and scored 23 points. Joey Harris had touchdown runs of 1 and 58 yards, and John Standeford caught a 34-yard TD pass from quarterback Brandon Hance. Travis Dorsch also connected on a 44-yard field goal.

Hance completed 21 of 37 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Standeford led all receivers with 96 yards. Montrell Lowe and Joey Harris had 69 and 68 yards on the ground, respectively.

In the fourth quarter, Akron put together its best drive of the game, marching 65 yards and scoring in nine plays. But 26-14 was as close as the Zips would get.

Although Purdue won, Ayodele said the team needs to be ready to play earlier in the game, especially this weekend when the Boilers face Minnesota, an experienced team on offense, at noon in Minneapolis.

"We have to realize what's on the line," he said. "We have to make a statement from the jump and not let the game roll on. We need to focus as a team and a unit and start and finish stronger."

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