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OldGoldFreePress COLUMNISTS | BACK TO TexasBoiler'S COLUMNS

PURDUE SPORTS:
Old Gold Free Press For 9-13-2002


1 day to Western Michigan Game at Ross-Ade Stadium!!!


Date: 9/13/2002
Author: TexasBoiler
© TexasBoiler

    Good morning 'Knuckleheads'! As you will note in an article in the Journal Courier below, those of us who hang out in Purdue chat rooms or as I'll interpret on behalf of Coach Tiller...the message boards, have been given the infamous Tim Stratton nickname, ie, we have been called 'knuckleheads'. Many of us on the mrgridiron forum like the nickname so much that we've added it to our handle on the message board. I am now DaKnuckleheadTexasBoiler until further notice. Personally, I think Da Coach can refer to us however he sees fit, as long as he keeps a winning product on the field. However, I would hope he would see that there are postives taken from the message boards and the advent of The Internet also. For one, my fire for Purdue Football has been fueled in part by reading/posting on the message boards and keeping informed about Purdue Football down here in Texas because of Al Gore's invention. I have been inspired by posts on the message boards on numerous occasions and these boards are somewhat responsible for why I have augmented my support for Tiller's program and Purdue Sports overall.

    In any event, I see Tiller's points about misinformation, putting out unnecessary fires, and some of the spineless criticism that comes from anonymous folks. I also know that Tiller is a cynical dude by nature, so I don't think he intentionally is trying to alienate those of us diehards who love and support his program. Therefore, this knucklehead chooses to stand firmly behind Coach Tiller and his program.

    So let's move on to the game ahead this Saturday. I see it this way...Da Boilers 34, and WMU 14. If ND could not stop our running game, I sure as heck don't see WMU doing it unless they stack 8 in the box. Having said that, I expect WMU to stack 8 in the box, and I think you will see Purdue get back to throwing the ball at least 40 times on Saturday. I'm hoping that we will still mix things up and Joey Harris will get 18 carries (for just over 100 yards) and Montrell will get at least 10 (for about 65 yards). Moreover, it is time for Kyle Orton to get the completion percentage up to 60% and go 24-40 for 325 yds and 2 TD's and no picks. Standeford and Chambers will catch TD passes in the first half and Void will run one in. We will be up 21-7 at the half as the Boilers come out inspired after a bitter loss.

    In the second half, I think we shall finally see STU break the INT record and take one to the house. Lacevic will add 2 FG's as we sputter a bit on offense in the second half. WMU's offense will produce 2 TD's as they have a decent runner in Phillip Reed and a couple of big strong WR's who will give us some trouble. Still, our defense will hold them to 275 yds of total offense when all is said and done.

    Plenty of WMU game coverage to follow and also some basketball news to include Brian Cardinal's trade to the Washington Wizards (and my take on that having grown up around Wizard's coach Doug Collins) and some news about ND playing us in hoops beginning in 2004 (check out the side note about Keady busting his tail to recruit today!).

    I may have an extra FREE ticket for Section 3, row 2 for tomorrow's game. You'd have to pick the ticket up at my in laws place in Fishers tonight or tomorrow morning but contact me if you are interested! Once again, I'd like to encourage anyone within a 3 hour driving distance, who has not decided to attend already, to find a way to check out newly renovated Ross-Ade Stadium this weekend. Plenty of tickets are available at the ticket office and Tiller can always use a few more knuckleheads in the house.

    -Barclay

    ______________________________


    Boilers find strong opponent in Western Michigan Broncos
    By Jason Tomcsi
    Sports Editor
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=index

    Many would look forward to Purdue's game against Western Michigan on Saturday and think a Mid-American Conference team should be a pushover.

    But Boilermaker head coach Joe Tiller isn't underestimating the Broncos.

    "They are significantly better than most people think they are," said Tiller. "People may not want to recognize them just because it is not a high-profile program. Physically, they stuck with Michigan on both sides of the ball."
    "Since Coach Darnell has been there, they have gone to the one-back spread," said Tiller. "They did it for the same reasons we did it - to level the playing field. You don't need as many 'great' players, so to speak, in this type of system."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ____________________________

    Weekly Football Teleconference
    Coach and player quotes from Tuesday, September 10
    http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/091002aab.html

    "Niko Koutouvides Jr., LB
    On playing a team from the Mid-American Conference...
    "You can never look at a team and underestimate them. We are going to take this game as we would every other game. We are going to prepare well, we are going to have our scheme, and we will take things from there."
    On the concern about a mental let-down playing at home after the Notre Dame game...
    "The way I look at it, all of the pressure is on us. They (Western Michigan) want to come in here and beat us. I'm just going to keep telling our guys that we have to make a statement. People believe that we are going to play without emotion after the loss to Notre Dame, so we have to prove ourselves. Others think we should have no problem winning, but that is why we play the games. I am going to do my best to make sure we don't fall into the thought that the game is already won. We have to play on Saturday, and we'll take it from there."
    Kyle Orton So., QB
    On the potential to throw the ball downfield...
    "Whenever you have the ability to throw the ball deep, it really helps this offense. Corners can't come up and jam receivers and control the passing game. We need to get the ball deep. John Standeford has done a good job of catching the deep ball, but we obviously need someone else to step up and do the same. That will open up our running game and our controlled passing game."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ____________________________


    Harris gaining yards, confidence
    By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
    http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200209121purdue_football1031807975.shtml
    "Harris, who has replaced three-year starter Montrell Lowe as the Boilermakers' No. 1 running back, has had consecutive 100-yard games to open the 2002 season.
    In the opener against Illinois State, he rushed 23 times for 144 yards, both career highs. Pretty impressive, but that was against a Division I-AA team.
    What would happen in Game 2 against a Notre Dame team that features a stout defense? The answer? Harris carried 25 times for 109 yards.
    "I'm running a little bit more physical than last year," Harris said. "I'm a little bit more patient in finding my holes and reading my blocks. And, more than anything, I think I'm a little more confident than last year."

    click on the above link for the full story

    ______________________________

    Quick Feet
    Joey Harris is the Big Ten's second most productive running back with a two-game total of 253 yards.
    By Pete DiPrimio
    of The News-Sentinel
    http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/4052335.htm
    WEST LAFAYETTE -- Purdue running back Joey Harris brings out the beast in linebacker Nico Koutouvides.

    Sure, they're teammates. Sure, they only bang heads in practice. But when they do, well, Koutouvides sees red.

    "When you're going up against a good running back like Joey, even in practice, you have to make plays," he said. "When you see him out there, you get a little fire. You want to hit him."

    Koutouvides smiled.

    "Well, not hit him too hard. A little thud."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ____________________________

    Orton remains optimistic about passing career
    By Jason Tomcsi
    Sports Editor
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/12§ion=sports&storyid=index

    "Although the football season is only two games old, Purdue head football coach Joe Tiller is pleased with the performance of his quarterback, sophomore Kyle Orton.

    "Kyle played well in the first game; he played well in the second game, with the exception of the last series of the game," said Tiller. "But he did a nice job, and he has done a nice job of protecting the football."

    Orton was 14 for 30 with 171 yards in the game against Notre Dame Saturday. His only miscue came in the fourth quarter when a pass intended for Seth Morales was tipped into the waiting hands of Irish cornerback Vontez Duff, who ran it 33 yards for the touchdown.

    But other than wanting that pass back, Orton said he thought he played well."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _______________________________
    Purdue Boilermakers
    In the Huddle
    http://www.indystar.com/article.php?huddle11.html
    -- Michael Pointer
    "Up next: Purdue (1-1) plays host to Western Michigan (1-1) Saturday at 1 p.m. (No television; WNDE 1260-AM). A crowd of about 55,000 is expected on Band Day.
    The opponent: The Broncos fell behind 21-0 in the second quarter and lost 38-12 at No. 7 Michigan last Saturday. The Purdue game is the second of a brutal three-game stretch, which ends at home against No. 11 Virginia Tech on Sept. 28. Western Michigan runs a one-back, spread offense. Wide receiver Jermaine Lewis has caught 11 passes for 181 yards and 3 TDs. Tiller said he's impressed by the Broncos' size and strength at nearly every position: "It will be our first challenge against a team that throws the ball 40 or 50 times a game."
    Davis starting tight end: Redshirt freshman Charles Davis has supplanted sophomore Mike Rhinehart as the starting tight end. Rhinehart has been slowed by a concussion suffered during an intra-squad scrimmage on Aug. 23, but Tiller said the 6-6, 260-pound Davis had begun closing the gap before that. Davis caught three passes for 29 yards against Notre Dame last week."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _____________________________
    Confidence fuels linebackers
    By Tom Lang
    Staff Writer
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=LinebackersProfile

    "Hardworking, fast and smart, the Boilermaker linebackers are back in typical fashion.

    "We're good, we feel we can pretty much accomplish anything as long as we all are together, have fun and take care of our assignments," fifth-year senior Joe Odom said.

    Accomplishing anything seems within reach of these Boilermakers when one considers the hardships they have overcome.

    "A couple of them have come back from tough injuries, Niko (Koutouvides) and Gilbert Gardner both had a broken leg, Joe (Odom) had a stress fracture in his lower back as a young player, Landon (Johnson) had that and now he has a dislocated shoulder, Goldsberry had ACL surgery, so the guys have had to fight through some adversity," Brock Spack, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, said.

    The linebackers at the core of the defense have led the Boilermakers to third in the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and passing defense the past two seasons."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ____________________________
    Offensive line looks to shock Big Ten this year
    By Tom Lang
    Staff Writer
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=OLineprofile


    "The offensive line has really developed since the Sun Bowl, and we're right on schedule to keep developing and getting better technically," offensive line coach Jim Chaney said.

    From 1997 through 2000, the offensive line provided the protection necessary to lead the Big Ten in passing offense.

    However, last season, the Boilermakers finished fifth in passing offense and last in rushing, scoring and total offense. The only team in the Big Ten to allow more sacks than Purdue's 42 was Michigan State.

    This season the offensive line will be back to its old ways. Not only are four of the five starters fifth-year seniors, but the fifth starter, tackle Kelly Butler, was named to the Sporting News Big Ten All-Freshman team last season.

    "The experience in the offensive line can't be replaced or taught, and I think that's the biggest difference in our line," center Gene Mruczkowski said.
    click on the above link for the full story
    _____________________________
    Football captains hope to set example
    By Joshua Grise
    Staff Writer
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=Captains153

    "The inspired phrase of John Keating in "Dead Poets Society" - "Oh Captain, My Captain" - are truly encouraging words to the new Purdue football captains: Landon Johnson, Ralph Turner, Gene Mruczkowski and Joe Odom.

    "I can't even really describe it but I was proud to know my teammates see me in that light, as a leader that brings on a lot of responsibility," said Turner, a senior safety.

    They all have been around for a couple of years and know what to expect of head coach Joe Tiller and of practices. Once a player has been around for three or four years, he gets to know about his team and its capabilities.

    "As a captain you are expected to be a role model and a leader for everybody, to show how to do things and speak up when necessary. (Being an upper class captain) it makes you be more conscientious out there. Guys are looking up to you, so if you go out there and are dogging it or you're not playing, they're going to see that. I have to play hard because guys are watching me," said Mruczkowski, a senior center."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _____________________________
    Big Ten results may prove unpredictable
    The Big Ten Conference has three teams in games against ranked opponents this weekend. Conference teams are also making a good showing in the polls, with four teams in the Associated Press top 25 and five in the USA Today top 25.
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=editorpicks
    "Western Michigan (1-1) at Purdue (1-1)

    Hershberger's Hope: The Broncos play a spread offense very similar to ours. They beat the crud out of Indiana State, 48-17, the first week of the season, so I know they can put up numbers. But the Boiler D is ranked 12th in the nation in total defense at 212 yards a game. The return of linebacker Landon Johnson from injury will also help. Boilers up, but closer than you think, 33-24.

    Tomcsi's Testimony: The Boilers didn't show the anger I wanted them to after the loss to Notre Dame. Maybe they will release the aggression on the Broncos, but don't look for it to be a blowout. Western Michigan will make it a game, but the Boilers win 36-28."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ___________________________
    The Daily Word - Weekend Preview
    By Andy Gamm
    Editor's Note: Joining me this week, after going undefeated in week three is Minnesota fan Darren the Greek (no relation to Jimmy). Your host (me) is 20-3 so far this year. Play along this week, and every week, on the message board . Picks are due in by 11am EDT Saturday.
    http://www.thefinalscore.net/index.html
    "Western Michigan at Purdue
    Here we go again... yet another MAC versus Big Ten match-up. Some of the games have been yawners, others have been closer than expected, but still, the Big Ten is holding serve this go around. Might this one be different? Don't count out the well-coached Broncos who played Michigan tougher than the final score indicated (last week). That said, Purdue has to be full of anger right now for letting yet another should-have-been win over Notre Dame slip away. I expect to see the offense pick it up a little and for the defense to continue its sound play. Western will keep this close into the half, but then Orton and company will get it rolling. Joey Harris has been a pleasant surprise and he may rattle off another 150-plus day. PURDUE 40 - WMU 14.
    Darren the Greek says: It's gut check time for Purdue. How they respond to the disappointing Notre Dame loss will give a lot of insight as to how they do in the Big 10. Western Michigan gave Michigan a tough time on defense and might slow down Purdue a bit - but not enough. Purdue 26 - Western Michigan 11."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ___________________________
    Lowe won't quit fighting for return to lineup
    By Steve Warden
    The Journal Gazette
    http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/sports/4058590.htm
    "Montrell Lowe wants you to know he's not dead and buried.
    Junior Joey Harris may have the starting running back job at Purdue right now - a job that the senior Lowe has held since he's been a freshman - but Harris had best not get too comfortable with it. Not if Montrell Lowe has a say in it.
    "I can barely sleep," Lowe said. "Like I said before, it's 'can you help this team win?' I felt like I've fallen off the face of the Earth. You're now telling me, after all this, after it's my last year, you're trying to tell me that Montrell Lowe can't help you win? I can't help you win?
    "I can tell them this and that, but for some reason they don't feel that way. And you gotta respect that; ain't nothing you can say about it. But as far as my personal emotions, it's shocking, it hurts, because it's kinda like . . . I can sum it up like this: I'm a competitor. I've always said that I'm a blue-collar worker and all this other stuff. But to the world, to me, to (the media), it almost says that Montrell didn't fight. Montrell didn't compete. Or he didn't com-pete the way he has in the past. It just says to the world that Montrell didn't get in that ring and fight. And I don't think that's telling the truth."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _____________________________
    Sudden disfavor puzzles, wounds Lowe
    By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
    http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200209120purdue_football1031807975.shtml
    "Montrell Lowe says he can understand getting beat out as Purdue's No. 1 tailback. After all, sports is all about competition. May the better man win.
    But the three-year starter says he can't understand why his demotion seems to be in such a free fall mode.
    Lowe has lost his starting assignment to junior Joey Harris. He began the season as a kickoff return man, but now he's not listed among the top two at that position. And Saturday at Notre Dame, after fumbling a screen pass (which was returned for a touchdown) early in the second quarter, Lowe never saw the field again.
    "I'm a senior. I think I've improved in every aspect of my game," Lowe said. "The main thing that coach Tiller preaches to us is, can you help us win now? So basically he's saying I can't help us win now? Just take that for what it's worth."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ______________________________
    Lowe plummets on depth chart
    Senior tailback wonders when Purdue coaches will let him see action again.
    By Michael Pointer
    michael.pointer@indystar.com
    September 12, 2002
    "WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Montrell Lowe walked into a news conference on Aug. 27 and was told by reporters that he would be Purdue's starting tailback in its season opener against Illinois State four days later." (Tiller said he expected Lowe to play 25-30 snaps on offense and return kicks but did not say Lowe would be the starter)
    Harris started and played most of the Illinois State game. Lowe, who played sparingly in the opener, was benched after his second-quarter fumble was returned for a Notre Dame touchdown in a loss last weekend. Lowe was even stripped of his kick-return duties
    "I never thought for a second that Joey should not play," Lowe said. "I knew he would play. But at the same time, there was talk of putting us on the same field at the same time. Even when I was the starter, the guy that was playing behind me played," said Lowe, who has 44 yards on six carries (7.3 average) this season. "I mean, what happened? Basically, it feels like I can't help the team now."
    "Is it anything that Montrell has done? No," Chaney said. "He's done about the same thing he's always done. We've just finally gotten some depth at that position."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _______________________________
    Stubblefield expects to return this year
    Wide receiver definitely out for next two games
    By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
    http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200209110purdue_football1031722441.shtml
    "Tiller said Tuesday that he's now not so sure that Stubblefield, who has been sidelined with a skull fracture suffered July 4, will play at all this season.
    "I've gone from optimistic to pessimistic on Stubblefield," Tiller said. "I don't know if we'll have him back in two weeks or two months. Or at all, in the 2002 season."
    Stubblefield, who was injured while trying to climb over a swimming pool fence at an apartment complex in Columbus, Ohio, has missed Purdue's first two games, against Illinois State and Notre Dame.
    The most recent hangup concerns a six-hour mental and manual dexterity test. Stubblefield took it two weeks ago and did well for the first four hours but then his performance fell off during the last two hours.
    Stubblefield won't be able to retake the test, which has been used for several years by the NFL and NHL to evaluate athletes who have suffered head injuries, until Sept. 19."
    ___________________________

    Tiller makes plans without Stubblefield
    By Jason Tomcsi
    Sports Editor
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/11§ion=sports&storyid=index

    "I am not very optimistic Taylor will be with us anytime in the near future," said Tiller in his weekly teleconference on Tuesday. "I don't know if we'll have him back in two weeks, two months or at all in the 2002 season.

    "Quite frankly I am not sure he will be with us in 2002."

    Stubblefield is set for another round of tests on Sept. 19th which eliminates him from playing in this week's and next week's game.

    "If he takes the test and does extremely well, then it will be another week before we can put him on the field," said Tiller. "If he doesn't do as well as they like, then he probably won't be tested for another three weeks."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _____________________________
    Redshirts prove successful, promising
    Jason Tomcsi
    Sports Editor
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/10§ion=sports&storyid=index
    Three redshirt freshmen - running back Jerod Void, defensive end Brent Hawkins and tight end Charles Davis- made the most of their time in one of the biggest games of the season.
    "Brent's really come along," said Goldsberry. "He's one of our best pass rushers out there. We bring him out for the pass rush and he's done a good job with it."

    "I think we are making a pretty good splash," said Hawkins. "But when a coach plays you in a situation, you have got to produce or you are just going to be sitting on the sidelines.
    "The one thing that Jerod showed us in camp is an ability to get north near the goal line with the ball," said running backs coach Scott Downing. "It's kind of interesting that he's our tallest running back but he's the one who runs behind his pads and runs over linebackers and things like that. It's not that our other guys can't, but right now that's one of the areas that he's developed in."
    click on the above link for the full story
    _____________________________

    'Knuckleheads' keep Tiller, staff busy
    By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
    http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200209122purdue_football1031807975.shtml
    "Purdue coach Joe Tiller, who admits to not being a computer wizard, is no big fan of the Internet.
    Simply put, the dot.com crowd produces too many rumors to suit him.
    "I think it's created more work for us," Tiller said. "We find ourselves putting out fires or chasing down unfounded stories, and I'm talking specifically more about recruiting than anything else.
    "That's why I don't have an e-mail address," Tiller said. "I don't want 400 e-mails every day. It doesn't take any guts to get on a typewriter if you want to be critical of someone. You don't have to represent yourself."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ______________________________
    Married couple reunites through coaching
    By Danielle Mitchell
    Staff Writer
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=olsonstory
    Imagine having to choose between the job of your dreams and the love of your life.

    Greg and Lissa Olson have had to make that choice several times throughout their careers and their marriage.

    "Last year was a really difficult year," Lissa said. "And it's amazing to me, looking back to last year in retrospect, wondering how I survived for two reasons: I had to be apart from Greg, and I had a new and very challenging coaching role."
    "The head track coach opportunity that Purdue gave her was the number one reason for my return," he said. "If she had been named head coach before I accepted the job in San Francisco, I probably never would have left. It was a chance to get back to my family and a chance for my wife and I to pursue our professional goals together."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ___________________________
    Hard-nose players aim to revive defensive line
    By Tom Lang
    Staff Writer
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=DLineProfile

    "After the loss of two key performers - Akin Ayodele and Matt Mitrione - to the NFL, the defensive line is working hard to gain respect around the Big Ten.

    "We've got a great group of guys that work extremely hard; they may not have the talent or athletic ability of an Ayodele or a Mitrione … but we have guys that make up for it with work ethic," defensive end coach Gary Emanuel said.

    Although the defensive line has lost two standout players, they are still a solid unit. Returning for the Boilermakers is two-time honorable mention All-Big Ten junior defensive end Shaun Phillips. Fifth-year senior Brandon Johnson and junior Craig Terrill will occupy the defensive tackle positions. Junior Kevin Nesfield and redshirt freshman Brent Hawkins will also share defensive end duties. Hawkins moved to the defensive line from the linebacker position.

    "Hopefully Shaun will continue to develop the way he has; moved him from linebacker to help add some speed to the defensive line. We'll make up for it (the loss of Ayodele) with our combinations. The main thing we're going to miss about Ayodele is his big play abilities and leadership," Emanuel said."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ______________________________
    Boiler offense not showing same skills
    By Doug Elish
    Staff Writer
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/13§ion=sports&storyid=harris229

    "Through the first two games the Boilermaker offense doesn't look like it has in recent years. The team is still averaging 34 points and 437 yards a game, but the usual pass-oriented attack hasn't been used. After two games the Boilers have run the ball 87 times compared to only 64 passes. The difference this year is largely due to the improved running of junior tailback Joey Harris. The emergence of Harris as a featured back has changed the traditional passing Purdue offense into a more two-dimensional team. Only two games into the season Harris is already within two rushing yards of his 255-yard total from last year. He is also the first Purdue back to have back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances since Montrell Lowe in October of 2000. Harris has emerged from what coaches described as a "hotly contested" spring competition to be the starting tailback between Lowe, Harris and redshirt freshmen Jerod Void and Brandon Jones. The coaches said they were looking for someone to be an every down back, someone that opposing teams have to worry about on every play, and now they say Harris is that player. "Joey brings a lot of things to the table that we like to see," said running backs coach Scott Downing. "He has tremendous speed, we think he's a tough kid and he is very knowledgeable of our offense."
    click on the above link for the full story'
    ______________________________

    Purdue trio recalls 9-11 anxiety
    Players' relatives unharmed in attacks
    By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
    "Niko Koutouvides, Joey Harris and Chris James are going to try to have a normal day today, but the Purdue football players know that won't be possible.Today is the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. A year ago this morning, all three Boilermakers found out they had relatives near the WTC in New York City and spent several anxious hours wondering if they were safe.
    "I try not to think about it, but I think (today) will be a strange day for a lot of people and for myself," said Harris, a junior running back from Texas whose cousin was working in the building next to Tower One. "I think, more than anything, I'm going to pray for the people who lost family members, and for this country and what we all had to go through."
    click on the above link for the full story.
    ____________________________
    Wizards Acquire Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinal, and Ratko VardaWizards trade Richard Hamilton, Hubert Davis and Bobby Simmons in six-player deal
    September 11, 2002
    http://hoopscampus.com/bb/bigten/PUR/messages/40549.shtml
    Washington Wizards General Manager Wes Unseld announced tonight that the team has acquired Jerry Stackhouse, Brian Cardinal and Ratko Varda from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Richard Hamilton, Hubert Davis and Bobby Simmons. Per team policy, terms were not disclosed.
    Cardinal , a 6-8 forward, was drafted by Detroit in the second round (44th overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft out of Purdue. He has played in 23 games in two NBA seasons and has career averages of 2.1 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. He spent 60 games on the injured list last season, and averaged 2.1 points in eight games.
    Wizards Roster
    "5 Kwame Brown F-C 6-11 243 3/10/82 Glynn Academy HS (GA) 1
    Brian Cardinal F 6-8 245 5/02/77 Purdue '99 2
    3 Juan Dixon G 6-3 164 10/09/78 Maryland '02 R
    6 Rod Grizzard G 6-8 200 6/13/80 Alabama '03 R
    00 Brendan Haywood C 7-0 266 11/11/79 North Carolina '01 1
    20 Larry Hughes G 6-5 184 1/23/79 St. Louis '01 4
    1 Jared Jeffries F 6-10 215 11/25/81 Indiana '04 R
    54 Popeye Jones (FA) F 6-8 250 6/17/70 Murray State '92 9
    23 Michael Jordan G 6-6 216 2/17/63 North Carolina '84 14
    44 Christian Laettner C-F 6-11 245 8/17/69 Duke '92 10
    10 Tyronn Lue G 6-0 178 5/03/77 Nebraska '98 4
    Juan Carlos Navarro G 6-3 170 6/13/80 Spain R
    8 Tyrone Nesby (FA) F-G 6-6 245 1/31/76 Nevada-Las Vegas '98 4
    Bryon Russell F 6-7 225 12/31/70 Long Beach State '93 9
    Jerry Stackhouse G-F 6-6 218 11/05/74 North Carolina '97 7
    36 Etan Thomas C 6-10 260 4/01/78 Syracuse '00 1
    Ratko Varda C 7-1 265 5/06/79 Yugoslavia 1
    55 Jahidi White C-F 6-9 290 2/19/76 Georgetown '98 4
    12 Chris Whitney G 6-0 175 10/05/71 Clemson '93 9"
    My take on this:
    this is almost eerie for me (cause I'd been hoping for this) and I'm very happy for Cardinal. I've had the priviledge of knowing Coach Doug Collins and his family (mainly his son Chris) and I love this trade. In particular, I played ball with Chris for several years growing up in Northbrook, IL, though he was 2 years younger than me. In any event, I always felt like Doug would be the perfect NBA Coach for Brian for a number of reasons:
    1. Doug and Brian both grew up in small towns in Southern ILL so they might have that as a bond. Little things can help.
    2. Doug probably sees the same fire he used to play with in Brian. Doug was a scrapper and tough as the toughest nail on the floor - we all know Cardinal is like that too.
    I bet MJ had a hand in this also as he has been trying to show the team in practice the effort it takes to be great in the NBA. Well, its hard for someone without MJ's natural talent, to identify with Mike sometimes. With Cardinal, his teammates might be able to better appreciate another example of how hard you have to work and compete every day, as Brian has nowhere near the natural talent of MJ.
    The guys who will get cut by The Wizards are the ones NOT busting their arses everyday. Doug loved guys like Johnny Paxson, Elston Turner (talk about a random name)...ie, guys who worked the hardest in practice, hustled the most, and were willing to accept a role off the bench. I could see Cardinal beating out some more talented guys at the end of the roster. From what I've heard Doug and MJ want to clean house and bring in some fresh attitudes...hmmmm? Once Doug and MJ see Brian in practice, they should find a spot for him.
    Man am I excited to watch the Wizards now. My 2 favorite players in the league (MJ and Cardinal) are on the same team!!!
    ____________________________
    Purdue to play ND in hoops starting in 2004.
    By TOM NOIE
    Tribune Staff Writer
    http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2002/09/13/sports.20020913-sbt-MICH-B1-Celebrities_take_sho.sto
    Brey even brought material for some of his fellow roasters. Hounded by Purdue head coach Gene Keady since he took the job, Brey will have Notre Dame play Purdue beginning with the 2004-05 season. The Irish will rotate Indiana off the schedule, at least for two years, and add the Boilermakers -- but only, Brey joked, on one condition.
    "The fine-print says that Coach Keady's got to be the coach, or we're not playing."
    Keady, who spoke immediately after Brey, didn't stick around for the rest of the evening. He high-tailed it back to West Lafayette for a couple hours of rest before catching a 6 a.m. flight out of Indianapolis today to go recruiting.
    Why, Vitale wondered, didn't Keady just take a private plane back to campus?
    "We went 13-18 last year," Keady said. "You don't get a private plane when you go 13-18."
    __________________________
    Star ratings for our 2003 recruits/prospects...
    http://hoopscampus.com/bb/bigten/PUR/messages/40559.shtml
    not sure these things matter but for what it's worth...according to RivalsHoops:
    1. Adam Liddell, not rated
    2. Ije Nwankwo, not rated
    3. Hossan Fofana, 4 stars, rated 9th best center in the nation
    according to Insiders.com
    1. Adam Liddell, 3 stars
    2. Ije Nwankwo, 2 stars
    3. Hossan Fofana, 4 stars, 11th best center in the nation
    I'm curious to see if we are still hot on the trail of Fofana and could find a way to fit him in the class of 2003. He sounds like a great center.
    _________________________
    Bruce Weber signs 2 recruits for his 2003 class
    http://hoopscampus.com/bb/bigten/PUR/messages/40558.shtml
    Posted by: TexasBoiler on September 12, 2002 at 16:20:37 - IP 63.103.217.132
    both are from the St. Louis area. I guess they have one scholie left now. Also, former SIU center Rolen Roberts is trying out for The Pacers. Has anyone who follows hoops recruiting heard anything else on either of these 2 guys?
    1. Randal Falker, 6-7 forward (not to be confused with Gaylord Focker :))
    2. Jamaal Tatum
    Just trying to guage how well Bruce is doing as a recruiter this year.
    ________________________

    Boilermaker fans will get chance to appear in video game
    By Jason Tomcsi
    Sports Editor
    http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/09/12§ion=sports&storyid=EASportsisinthegame

    "Boilermaker fans will get a chance today to show whether or not they are "in the game."

    EA Sports, the makers of such video games as Madden 2003, will be in the Purdue Memorial Mall from 4-6 p.m. today filming fans for their next video game release in December.

    The camera crew will videotape fans saying "EA Sports - It's in the game!" The footage will then be sent back to EA Sports who will review it to see the best fans. Winners will be awarded a check for $300 and will be featured at the beginning of March Madness 2003 which comes out in December.

    "EA Sports is looking for fans that are crazy and as excited about Purdue basketball as possible," said Trey Geiger, Purdue EA Sports campus representative. "EA is looking for face paint, foam hands and Purdue accessories."
    click on the above link for the full story
    ____________________________



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