| | |
 |
|
| 09-26-2003 | Previous edition: 09-25-2003 |
        
     |
Printer-friendly version Tailgate Guide: Defensive end strives for goals on, off field
Staff Writer Kevin Nesfield is best known for sacking the quarterback and knocking blockers 10 yards into the backfield, but what most people don't know is that he is also quite a student. Nesfield redshirted his first year at Purdue, which has allowed him to be a vital part of the 2003 Boilermaker defense. He also completed his undergraduate studies and earned his diploma in May. Nesfield owns a degree in law and society, but he isn't stopping there. The defensive end is working toward a chemistry minor and, if time permits, will study other areas of interest. Nesfield is not exactly sure what career he will be pursuing a year from now, but whoever employs him will not have to worry about his work ethic. "I'm going all out on anything I do," said Nesfield. Nesfield has given his all in the classroom, but most people know him for his efforts on the football field. Defensive coordinator Brock Spack has been impressed with Nesfield's work ethic during his Boilermaker career. "He plays 100 miles per hour every snap and he does a lot of good things for us," said Spack. "He's a hard-hat, blue-collar lunch-pail guy. He's tough and physical and he'll do a lot of things people don't like to do. He takes on blockers and plays the run real well." Nesfield was recruited as a linebacker but switched to defensive end between the 2000 and 2001 seasons. It took some time for Nesfield to feel comfortable with the transition, but after the 2001 spring practices, he finally felt like a defensive end. After hard work during the 2001 season, Nesfield was awarded one of two starting defensive end positions for 2002 — the other belonging to senior Shaun Phillips. Nesfield and Phillips share three common goals: work together, contain the quarterback and sack the quarterback. Though the duo has often accomplished these three goals, Nesfield's style of play differs greatly from his teammate. Phillips is known as the better pass rusher and pass defender of the two, and Phillips himself even chuckles at the sight of his teammate dropping back in coverage. Phillips, however, is amazed with Nesfield's ability to knock an offensive lineman on his butt and stop the run. "He destroys blockers," said Phillips. "He'll knock a blocker 10 yards into the backfield. That's always amazing how he drops those big 320-pound guys back. I always give him a hard time about his coverage when he drops into a zone. His stance is real wide so he looks kind of unorthodox out there in the open field." Unorthodox or not, Nesfield has put himself in position to catch several interceptions this season. He is frustrated that he has yet to take one the distance. "I want to take an interception back for a touchdown," said Nesfield. "That's the thing that's haunted me. I've dropped three picks in the last two weeks." Perhaps his dream will come true this weekend when his favorite rival comes to town. "This is the reason why I wanted to come here," said Nesfield. "We get a chance to play Notre Dame every year and get the chance to play on national TV. There's nothing else that needs to be said." Printer-friendly version |
Front Page | Campus | City | Features | Opinions | Sports | Classifieds Advertising | Archive | Links | About us | Letter Submission Form To report any errors with or to give ideas on how we can improve the online edition of The Exponent contact Online Production |
