Sunday scrimmage helps Tiller send message to team

By Greg Doddridge
and Paul Trembacki

Purdue used a goal-line scrimmage during practice on Sunday to help it try to overcome its 13-7 loss to Indiana last Saturday and to prepare it for Notre Dame this Saturday.

"We ran a lot of different plays and we ran the play, of course, that we ran against (Indiana)," said junior running back Montrell Lowe.

Down 13-7, the Boilers had the ball inside the Indiana 1 on fourth-and-goal with 10:08 to go in the game, but Lowe was not able to cross the goal line.

Purdue coach Joe Tiller said that's why he held the scrimmage.

"I was trying to send a message to our team that the way we played Saturday and getting down there within sneezing distance of the goal line and not getting it into the end zone is not acceptable at Purdue," said Tiller. "And our football team needs to understand that without any question in their mind what is and what is not acceptable here."

The Boilers scrimmaged on the goal line for about 20 minutes, as opposed to the preseason when, at most, they run nine plays. Tiller said he doesn't like scrimmaging on the goal line a lot because a long time ago his starting middle linebacker blew out his knee under such circumstances. However, he felt Sunday's practice was necessary.

"We certainly had a spirited practice and was one of the best we have had on Sunday, possibly ever," Tiller said. "Whether that translates into playing well on Saturday remains to be seen."

Senior defensive end Akin Ayodele said the practice on Sunday somewhat helped the team to put the loss to Indiana behind them.

"I think coach Tiller was trying to make statement, that no matter what, we should not give up on ourselves," said Ayodele.

The Silence of the Meat

Tiller has in effect placed a gag order on outspoken senior defensive tackle Matt Mitrione, a darling of the media, for comments made surrounding the Indiana game.

Tiller said Mitrione is off-limits to the media for comments he made before the game, actions he took during the game and comments he made after the game.

Mitrione made comments the week before the Indiana game to various media outlets demeaning Hoosiers' running back Levron Williams, and he's been criticizing the Boilers, who've has lost three of its last four games.

Congratulations, Mr. Fells

Speaking of players who Tiller has gagged, Willie Fells, a senior for Purdue in 1999, was a linebacker on the Calgary Stampeders' team that won the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup on Sunday over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, 27-19. Fells recovered a fumble late in the game.

Fells led the Boilers in tackles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and he has now played two seasons in the CFL. The Stampeders acquired Fells in July of this year.

Dorsch's accolades continue

Purdue senior Travis Dorsch was named one of the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award for the nation's top punter Tuesday. The Ray Guy Award will be awarded on Dec. 6 from Orlando, Fla.

Last week Dorsch was named first team All-American kicker by the Football News.

Dorsch leads the nation with 48.9 yards per punt. He also has punted the ball inside the 20-yard line nine times, and he has a long punt of 79 yards.

Dorsch has hit 16 of 21 field goals and 17 of 21 extra points this season, which is why he is one of three finalists for the Lou Groza Award, presented annually to the nation's top kicker. The winner will be announced Dec. 4 in West Palm Beach, Fla.

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Sunday scrimmage helps Tiller send message to team

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