Redshirt freshman to have decreased involvement in offense
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 10/16/2008
Scott Kobs | Senior Photographer
Freshman running back Justin Siller advances the ball down field as senior quarterback Curtis Painter looks for someone to block during Purdue's game against Oregon on Sept. 13.
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The Justin Siller experiment is over ' for now.
Coach Joe Tiller said the redshirt freshman's sliding and slicing style of running didn't fit what the offense is doing.
After Siller was moved to running back from quarterback about two months ago, there was talk that he would be featured as a QB with a run-pass threat. Fans saw glimpses of it early in the season, most notably against Oregon when Siller turned a negative run into 20 yards and threw an errant pitch.
"Consistency was still something that was a problem," said offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher. "He'll get better over time."
Siller, who came to Purdue ranked as the 14th-best dual-threat quarterback in the country according to Rivals.com, is working with the first and second teams in practice at running back. This season he has 12 carries for 38 yards, some of which came when he lined up at QB.
"I did enjoy it," said Siller about lining up at quarterback. "Any chance I have to offer our offense another piece of the puzzle in helping us be successful is a big opportunity for me."
Senior quarterback Curtis Painter said he thought the wrinkle in Purdue's offense that featured Siller as the QB was beneficial.
"Having that kind of threat really gives our offense another dimension," Painter said. "I think it was a good idea and gave defenses something to look at."
Siller said those plays are still in the playbook and he's been told it's always an option in any game. Zaunbrecher is just looking for development from Siller, who is trying to adapt to a new position, before using them.
"If he develops the way we would like him to, then he'll be a big part of the package," Zaunbrecher said.
Whether or not Siller will be staying at running back in the future is unknown; however, Siller said there have been talks of moving him back to QB.