Tenacious D

By Paul Trembacki
Sports Editor

From Stu Schweigert's game-saving interception against Cincinnati to Shaun Phillips' 14-yard sack to kill an Akron drive at a crucial point in the game, the Purdue defense has established itself as the playmaking unit of the Boilers.

"It's very different," said Craig Terrill, who recovered a fumble and stopped a fake punt during Purdue's 33-14 win over Akron Saturday. "We're not used to getting much publicity.

"We're out there just trying to do our job, and we know the offense will come along and make the big plays as Purdue has in the past."

In the last four seasons under coach Joe Tiller, Purdue has relied on its "basketball on grass" offense to win most of its games. The Boiler defense, with exception of a few games, was called upon to play just well enough to keep the score close and put the offense in position to win the game.

But this year things are different as the young offense tries to adjust to losing record-setting quarterback Drew Brees and four starters from the offensive line. The offense is ranked eighth in the Big Ten in total offense, and the defense is third in the conference and 26th in the nation.

"Since I've been here, every spring and before every season, the offense was talked about, and the offense is still talked about," linebacker Jason Loerzel said. "But it's very rewarding that, when the defense comes out there, we're getting talked about. We come out there and the crowd's going wild. It's just nice."

Purdue's defense should be key to whether the No. 24 Boilers (2-0) win Saturday when they face Minnesota (1-1) at 11 a.m. in Minneapolis in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Defensive end Akin Ayodele, one of Purdue's 10 starting defenders returning from last year, said he likes the pressure being put on the defense.

"We’re definitely trying to make a statement and let people know that we can make big plays," Ayodele said. "That's one of the things I like about this year's defense is that when we are put into certain situations where we have to go through adversity, we actually step up and finish what we meant to do."

An example of the Boilers' resolve in overcoming adversity came Saturday when Akron was driving to try to make the score 14-3 in the first quarter. After the Zips completed a 46-yard pass play to get to the 32-yard line, Phillips came up with a sack for a loss of 14 yards that put Akron out of field goal range and led them to punt three plays and a penalty later.

"Your big play guys have got to make big plays in clutch situations, and that's what happened (Saturday)," defensive coordinator Brock Spack said. "I think we made some big plays in critical situations the first half."

Purdue forced five turnovers Saturday — two on downs, two on interceptions and one on a fumble. Four of those turnovers came in the first half when the offense failed to score on five of its seven possessions.

"Thank God our defense did some things," Tiller said after the game. "We've been talking about the fact we felt our defense would have to play well early until our offense could catch up with it."

However, Tiller said the defense shouldn't have to be out on the field as much as it was during the first half of the Akron game when the Zips held the ball for 17:34.

The defense's only major flaw this season has been its failure to stop teams right away. Cincinnati and Akron both went on long, impressive scoring drives on their first possessions against the Boilers.

"We have got to get over our first series jinx," Loerzel said. "We kind of like to see what the other team is running. Then we straighten up. We see what they're running at us and we handle it pretty well."

Offense experiences maturation, hopes for more

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Sports editor:
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