I wonder how aware Coach Chaney is that there seems to be a consensus forming that he is telegraphing the running plays too much? Does he not care about the feedback? I'll say this in my business...I listen to my 'customers' and 'analysts' and always strongly consider their feedback. Not all answers belong in one person's head. Feedback can make you much more effective in future endeavors, even from folks who don't have your pedigree or experience!

And for those who want to call me critical, so be it, but I can say whole heartedly that I want to win this football game as much as anyone in the Boiler Family and I'm paying good money and traveling 12 hrs roundtrip to see some results. I will speak up and not apologize for having my opinion where I see a problem that seems to fester for too long.

I have complained about our Special Teams far more than playcalling this season. I've also been very critical of our defense for blowing 'saves' against Iowa and ILL. In general though, I think Spack is a bit less conservative (eg, he will call risky blitzes) in his approach than Chaney. I also think Spack tries to mix things up and rattle the opposition more than Chaney does. Those are simply my opinions. Yes, our offensive production turnaround is remarkable and Chaney does not get enough credit for that. However, against stronger opponents like ND and UM for example, I think he errs on the side of predictable play calling and our scoring production goes down from 30 pts per game to 19 pts per game. With a bit more creativity, I think we could easily score 24-27 pts against OSU and UM, and ND and win those games.

I think Iowa's OC showed us the road map against superior teams like UM - keep them on their heels, keep em guessing. Am I advocating some wild flea flickers? No. I'm saying throw the ball out of the 2 TE set and run some play action passes out of that set. Spread the field 4 wide and try a couple draws. Like Boiler01 said try a 2 back set and then shift a RB out wide and get him on a LB for a mismatch. All I'm asking is that the OSU fans next to me aren't screaming "sell out for the run" when Rucks, Noel, and 2 TE's come into the game and then we hand off to Harris for a no to 2 yd gain.

Mix it up, deceive, and keep OSU guessing and I really like our chances this weekend. Boilers 20 - OSU 17.

Verbal #5 for this year is...

WR/DB, Robert Smith (6-2, 180 lbs, 4.4/40) from Arlington, Texas. He's listed as a 2-star according to Rivals. Seems like a track guy whose offense does not throw much at all. With all due respect to Robert, if I were Dorien Bryant (4-star guy visiting from NJ this weekend) or a higher rated WR, I would not fear this guy as competition for early playing time. That said, welcome aboard Robert, the great thing at Purdue is that you don't have to be the highest rated guy to see the field early, you just have to work hard and prove yourself! Always great to have another Texan at Purdue!

Final note today...many of us diehards are expecting close to 20,000 Bucknut fans in Ross-Ade on Saturday. What I'm asking us all to do is mitigate this number from increasing by NOT offering Bucknut fans extra tickets. I'll excuse the one buddy from OSU who has helped you get a ticket at OSU in the past but let's avoid the temptation to scalp multiple tickets to OSU fans. I'm sure there are plenty of Purdue fans who can be talked into seeing us have the chance to upset the highest rated opponent since PSU in 1999. Please take the extra step and seek out your Boiler friends with your extras. Moreover, for those of you not already on board, would it hurt to show up and gobble up some of the extra tickets being offered this weekend? Your presence can make a HUGE difference.

In any event, I fully expect to have at least a 2:1 numbers advantage and moreso I FULLY EXPECT that those of us who are going will be VERY LOUD for our defense from the opening OSU snap to the their last offensive snap. Have a seat and rest those vocal cords while we are on offense (except to cheer for the nice offensive plays of course). I can guarantee you that I'm coming in like a Texas Tornado and all the Bucknut fans in Section 2 (and perhaps some of the unmotivated Boiler fans) will hate me for standing and yelling incessantly for our defense (I will sit politely on Boiler possesions). Well, I don't give a rats arse what these folks think. Ross-Ade is OUR HOUSE and I pay good money for my season ticket and even more $$$ to travel from Austin, TX. I will be getting my money's worth in terms of giving our team all the vocal support I have. Don't hate me for supporting my team to the nth degree. Let's all leave our throats and lungs on the field and help will our team to victory!

Can I get an Amen from the choir? (VBG)

-Barclay

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Football Game Notes
Purdue-Ohio State: Nov. 9, 2002

Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110402aaa.html

Nov. 4, 2002

Purdue Boilermakers (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten)
vs. #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
Ross-Ade Stadium (66,295) - West Lafayette, Indiana
November 9, 2002 - Noon EST

ALL-TIME RECORD: 526-452-48 (.536) - 115th season
BIG TEN RECORD: 282-315-32 (.474) - 107th season

PROJECTED ATTENDANCE: 65,000+

RADIO: Boilermaker Sports Network (Flagship - WAZY, 96.5 FM, West Lafayette) - Joe McConnell (play-by-play), Pete Quinn (color commentary), Brett Schetzsle (sideline), Tim Newton (pregame/halftime/postgame)

TELEVISION: ABC - Brent Musburger (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jack Arute (sidelines)

A LOOK AT THE BOILERMAKERS: The Purdue football team, under sixth-year head coach Joe Tiller, plays host to undefeated and third-ranked Ohio State on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. The Boilermakers are coming off a bye week. Before that, they snapped a three-game losing streak with a 42-13 victory at Northwestern on Oct. 26. Purdue is one of merely two schools in the Big Ten Conference and one of only 13 nationally to play in a bowl game each of the last five seasons.

IF THE BOILERMAKERS WIN ...
* They will get back to the .500 mark.
* They will beat a ranked opponent for the first time since defeating No. 12 Ohio State 31-27 on Oct. 28, 2000, at home.
* They will beat their highest-ranked opponent since defeating No. 2 Ohio State 28-23 on Oct. 6, 1984, in West Lafayette. Purdue was unranked then, too."

for the full story click on the link above

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Purdue men's forecast

Old Gold Free Press (www.oldgoldfreepress.com) is featuring an excerpt from Blue Ribbon Yearbook's forecast on Purdue men's basketball this season.

for the full story click on the link above

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Purdue-Michigan State Football Game To Kick Off At 12:10 P.M.

ESPN Regional will televise

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110402aab.html

Nov. 4, 2002

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Big Ten Conference announced this morning that the Purdue-Michigan State football game on Nov. 16 in East Lansing will kick off at 12:10 p.m. EST.

The game will be televised by ESPN Regional.

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‘Thundersticks’ would solve all of our problems
http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2002/11/05§ion=letters&storyid=Rieskamp
"After watching most of the Major League Baseball playoff games, I have come across the answer to all our football woes: thundersticks.

Thundersticks are basically plastic tubular items that you hit together to get a "thunder-like" noise. The Anaheim Angels have used these to get all the way to the World Series. That and a little help from the rally monkey. The results would be amazing; instead of the stupid train engineer motion and Coach Joe Tiller talking about how we should "Boiler Up," we could really make some noise.

They could be gold, which when struck together would make a sea of gold. This would obviously solve all of the teams problems.

P.S. Please go back to the black uniforms and hire a new special teams coach.

Eric Rieskamp
Senior, School of Technology "

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Men's Basketball Hosts Harlem Globetrotters

Game Notes for Tuesday's game at 7 p.m. EST

Nov. 4, 2002

West Lafayette, Ind. -

Purdue-Globettrotters Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110402aaa.html

"Time: 7 p.m. EST
Date: Nov. 5
Arena: Mackey Arena (14,123)
Location: West Lafayette, Ind.
Television: None
Radio: The Boilermaker Sports Network. Larry Clisby (play-by-play) and Steve Reid (color commentary) call the action.
Internet: All games can be heard on www.purduesports.com. Simply click on the live coverage link.
Tickets: Limited number available
Records: Purdue 0-0 Globetrotters 0-0
Rankings: Neither team is ranked in the current polls.
Series: The Globetrotters lead 1-0 (More information on the series can be found on page 2 of the notes.)
Coaches: Purdue - Gene Keady (Kansas State '58) is 469-224 in his 23rd year at Purdue and 507-243 in his 25th season overall.
Harlem Globetrotters - Milton Barnes, Charles "Tex" Harrison and Byron Smith
Officials: Announced on game day.

Boilermakers Take Floor For First Time In 2002-03
Purdue, which finished last season 13-18, opens the exhibition season against the Harlem Globetrotters on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Mackey Arena at 7 p.m. The Boilermakers, who are playing their 43rd exhibition game, have won 18 of their previous 19 pre-season contests. Their last loss was a 74-65 defeat to the Harlem Globetrotters on Nov. 15, 2000. All 42 of the Boilermakers' exhibition games have been played in Mackey Arena. The Harlem Globetrotters begin a nine-game, 17-day fall college tour, which feature games against defending national champion Maryland, Connecticut and Ohio State. The Boilermakers are 25-4 in their first exhibition games. Eight Boilermakers on the 2002-03 roster were not at Purdue or ineligible second semester last season.

A Purdue Win Would ....
-Give the Boilermakers their 21st win in their last 23 exhibition games.
-Make three-straight wins in exhibition games.
-Give the Boilermakers their first victory over the Harlem Globetrotters.
-Improve the Boilermakers' record to 39-4 all-time in exhibition games.
-Hand the Globetrotters a loss in their first game of their 2002 college team tour.
-Even Purdue's series with the Harlem Globetrotters at one game apiece.
-Improve Purdue head coach Gene Keady to 32-3 in exhibition games all time."

for the full story click on the link above

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Boilers face 1st preseason test

Purdue gets a chance to evaluate its progress in its game against the Harlem Globetrotters.

By Michael Pointer

michael.pointer@indystar.com

November 05, 2002

http://www.indystar.com/article.php?pubb05.html

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue coach Gene Keady has said for the past three weeks the Boilermakers seem intent on correcting their mistakes of the past two seasons.

But he would quickly add that every coach is optimistic this time of year. The tests come in games. Those begin tonight at 7 when Purdue plays host to the Harlem Globetrotters in an exhibition game at Mackey Arena.

"Two years ago, they showed a lot of our weaknesses," said Keady, whose Boilers lost 74-65 to the Globetrotters in an exhibition game in November 2000. "One was getting back on (defense). The other was poor shot selection."

Those things have continued to dog the Boilers the past two seasons, during which they have compiled a 30-33 record.

The Globetrotters are kicking off a nine-game collegiate tour tonight. Their roster includes some well-known names in Olden Polynice, Cedric Ceballos and Todd Day, each of whom had long NBA careers.

Keady arranged for the Globetrotters to play a group of college all-stars -- without their typical hijinks -- at the Final Four two years ago when he was president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

The Globetrotters started playing regular college teams soon after. Keady said the games are valuable because they provide a much sterner test than typical exhibition opponents.

"The crowd should like it," said Keady, who is 31-3 in exhibition play. "They're entertaining."

for the full story click on the link above

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Posted by: David Bennett on November 04, 2002 at 14:54:12 - IP 140.254.88.55
http://gridironcampus.com/bb/bigten/PUR/messages/36525.shtml

Here is how I have been setting up the matchup to my classmates here in grad school at OSU. The key to beating the Buckeyes is whether the Boilers can shut down the wide receivers of Ohio State. Not so much Krenzel, but does Purdue have the athletes to match up with Jenkins, Gamble, Vance, etc, we all know how many wideouts have beat Purdue's db's on pure athleticism. That seems to be the area that stopped the Boilers last year in Columbus, and the major fear that I have this year. I think the running game can be slowed, for some reason the line (except for this weekend against the Gophers) just opens larger holes for Maurice Clarett, Ross and Hall often get hit in the backfield as they receive the handoff whereas #13 does not get touched till he is 3-4 yds down field. And it sounds like he won't be playing all to much. As a pretty unbiased buckeye fan, not wanting to sing a freshmans praises, Clarett is clearly more effective and dominant then either Ross or Hall, and I would love to have either one of those backups suit up in the old gold and black, that is just how good the bruising Clarett is. The other plus is the home field advantage, Ohio State had a ton of trouble in Cincy for that big game, up in Madison, at Northwestern, and I do not think any of those teams are near the ability of Purdue.
Offensively, Brandon is clearly the wiser choice for this game, even though I think Orton has a bunch of upside. OSU's defensive line is big, atletic, and very talented, I think that is their strongest component (even versus the DB and LB's that are loaded). They will control the line of scrimmage, no doubt in my mind...unless Purdue runs the spread well enough, including the QB scrambles away from Will Smith so that the Buckeyes forget about the run and trade DB's for LB's. Purdue needs a mobile quarterback because there will be hits after every throw. We cannot jam Harris down their throat, they just won't swallow it. It sounds as if Jones would be the better option, but I am not sure because we do not see many games over here. Ohio State allows opponents on their first drives to march down the field with a 75%/25% run/pass mix for scores (WSU/MINN) when they spread it out. I say instead of doing that only in the first drive, do it all game. The DB's can be had, we all know Doss likes to gamble, and as long as we don't throw at Gamble and use Taylor, Mike, etc. they will be all right. But the opponents always try to go back to the run, and that is where they get shut down. Then you are down 3 TD's and you have to pass the ball to get back in it. I say bail out on the run from the beginning.

Third key is, surprise, special teams. My thinking, throw out the books and forget about playing for the field goals. OSU blocks punts, field goals, has athletes everywhere. Do not play the field position game, they are too good Go for it on forth down from the 25, just don't miss another FG. And for heavens sakes, try to run the ball without being in the two tight end set. I did not see the NW game, but I hope they accomplished that.

I think this game can be had. Ohio State will score early, they always do but Jim Tressel has something to be desired in offensive creativity. It is run first, run second, throw third down with little variation. God forbid he run a spread offense with the talent they now have. If purdue was getting anything more than 10 pts, I would bet the farm. In columbus, these kids here nothing but praise and prognosticating, OSU is going to be #2 in the BCS this week, and don't think they aren't looking ahead (i.e. Notre Dame after FSU). I know it's a win-win for me, Purdue wins I am very happy, OSU wins, my michigan ticket will go for $400(200 more than if they lose). My prediction:

Ohio State 24
Purdue 28


Boilermakers block out pressure of bowl streak -- By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier
Purdue fans hope they won't need diversion of Musberger 'game' -- By Ken Thompson, Journal and Courier
Teague eager to make Purdue debut -- By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier
Could this season be Keady's last stand? Think again -- By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier
'Ceiling fan' promotion intended to boost lagging ticket sales -- By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier