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Hola Boilermaniacs! Like many of you, I've been extremely busy since the last Update went out on April 24th. For those of you who don't know, I am in the throes of relocating to Indianapolis. Mainly, I am held up by a stingy real estate market in Austin, where our house has been on the market for over 80 days and we have yet to receive a single offer. It's been painful to see no bites, when we're priced 7k below tax appraisal value and we've offered cash incentives both to buyers and buyer's agents. Times sure have changed since 1999 when the housing market was so tight that folks we're literally driving by houses and making full listing offers on the spot! In any event, I've been flying back and forth from Indy to Austin, every other weekend, trying to ensure a smooth transition.

But enough about me already, let's try and get caught up on Purdue Sports since the last report. Spring Football came to a close with The Spring Game on April 25th in Fort Wayne. Kyle Orton was incredibly accurate on the afternoon going 12-15 throught the air while Taylor Stubblefield had 2 TD receptions and Joey Harris had a 63 yd TD run on the first play from scrimmage as the White Team beat the Black Team 27-6. More than 5,000 fans showed up and perhaps the greatest athlete to line up in a Purdue football uniform, Rod Woodson, was on hand to receive an award inducting him into The Purdue Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, later that evening, our All American Free Safety, Stuart Schweigert, was charged with public intoxication in West Lafayette. Tiller plans to let the legal system run is course, which has always been his policy, but there is speculation that Schweigert could miss a game or two to begin the season this fall.

With so many injured starters throughout the spring and several new studs coming in this fall, there may be some additional moves in the 2 deeps by the season opener against Bowling Green State. At QB, Kyle Orton appears to be the clear #1 with Kirsch backing him up and Kyle Smith as the #3 guy right now. Kyle Smith could move to DB though when Freshman QB's Scott Carroll, Bill Foran, and perhaps Grant Walker get some reps in August. There are rumors that Scott Carroll could be a high round pick in the Major League Baseball Draft, but like Kirsch who was in a similar position last summer, it appears as though we will see Mr. Carroll in West Lafayett this fall.

We are loaded at running back with Joey Harris as the starter followed by a very close race between Jerod Void and Brandon Jones for the backup position. Most intriguing is RS Frosh, Jerome Brooks, who has the best open field moves of the 4 and has all the coaches conjuring up ways to get him on the field next year. He could likely be a kickoff return man or lineup as a WR at times.

You can expect a hopefully 100% Johnny Standeford and Taylor Stubblefield to be our top 2 WR's once again next year. Sophomore Ray Williams appears to be the 3rd starter and seems to be grasping our offense better. He seemed to be getting open deep quite a bit this spring. The battle for the 2nd string of WR's appears to be between Sr. Anthony Chambers (who was out all spring), Sr. Jamaal Wilson, Junior Kevin Noel, and RS Frosh Andre Chattams. Others competing for those spots include Sophomore Drew Rucks, RS Frosh Al Royal, Sophomore Jameson Evans, and then newcomers Jake Cunningham, Byron Williams, Kyle Ingraham, Anthony Harris, and Cole Seifrig (who also is generating MLB draft rumors). For those who don't get Gold and Black Illustrated, there was a great feature story recently on Steve Seifrig, Cole's father. Steve re-enlisted in the army after 9/11/2001 and has been over in Iraq for some time now. When you read his comments about how appreciative he is towards Purdue for giving Cole a scholarship and how there is nothing like a fall afternoon in Ross Ade stadium, you might feel inspired to join or renew your donations to The John Purdue Club. The 6-8 Kyle Ingraham recently tore it up in a Texas HS football All Star game with 10 catches for 132 yds and a TD.

Moving on to the TE position, Mike Rhinehart is no longer able to compete physically due to a plethora of concussions, so sophomore Charles Davis is the starter for now. He is backed up by a great blocking TE in Jeff Bennett. Nearly everyone expects newcomer Garrett Bushong to challenge for the starting position in August. The Offensive Line appears to be set with Kelly Butler and Mike Otto at the tackles, Matt Turner and Tyler Moore at the guards, and Nick Hardwick at center. The problem is that our depth, should one of these starters go down, is very untested right now.

As for football recruiting...a name to keep on eye on over the next couple of weeks is QB Kirby Freeman from Brownwood, Texas. He had an awesome performance at the Texas A&M camp and rivals.com reported that he is down to us and Miami, Fla. If he gets the offer from Miami, we are the bridesmaid. If not, he appears to be VERY interested in Purdue.

I'll provide a recap/forecast of our defense in next week's edition because I'd be remiss if I did not address the soap opera that has occurred regarding our men's basketball program since April 24th. To summarize...Bill Self leaves Illinois for Kansas which made our top successor to Gene Keady, Bruce Weber, a viable candidate for the Illinois HC position. Many Boiler fans agonized on April 30th as Bruuuuuuce could not turn down the offer and became the ILL head coach that afternoon. Almost immediately, speculation began that Bruce's best friend and our top asst coach at the time, Jay Price, would leave Purdue to join Weber at Illinois. That's when the flood gates of opinion began on the message boards...the big question debated was could we get former UCLA HC Steve Lavin to come to Purdue at Keady's top assistant and moreover should we guarantee him the HC position when Keady retired? This became a massive debate and my take was that nearly everyone wanted Lavin as Keady's top assistant but the sticking point was should he be guaranteed to be Keady's successor.

Eventually, Jay Price, was announced as the top assistant at Illinois but the speculation on Lavin was tempered by a Purdue SID release on May 12th that only a new assistant coach would be hired at this time, ie no one would be brough in as Gene Keady's named successor. Since then there is some speculation that Lavin may still consider coming to Purdue without any guarantee in the succession plan but it's more likely that Keady will hire an assistant such as Linc Darner, Todd Mitchell or some outsider and promote Cuonzo Martin to the top assistant position. We should hear more on the situation officially in the next couple of weeks.

Somewhat lost in the assistant coach shuffle, was the news that top Purdue recruit, Robert Vaden, re-opened his recruitment officially in early May. IU's Mike Davis is said to be charging hard in The Vaden Sweepstakes.

That's about all I can cover for now but hopefully next week, I'll be able to add some commentary to the recent happenings. I've got some recent news headlines with links below and I'd encourage you all to check out the request from former standout TE, Tim Stratton.

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In Reply to: RE: Looking for Purdue alums in Chicago posted by BillD on May 19, 2003 at 12:41:26:
Just trying to locate some Purdue alums in Chicago with reference to job hunting, have some of my former teammates moving to Chicago and are in need of jobs as well as myself.

One guy that is coming was a psychology major, another was an OLS major. As for myself, I was a history major with a psychology minor. My major hasn't helped in the business world and my reasoning for choosing it was to become a history teacher but seeing that I need a higher income, I'm looking for something better. I was working as a special education teacher at a high school in Wheaton but that was only temporary and I also coach at a small division III school in Elmhurst. I hope Purdue fans are not upset with me still about last year's draft, I admit what I said was wrong and taken out of context but I also lost my dad that weekend so it was a horrible week in my life. If anyone needs any type of help, please feel free to contact me. Not necessarily to be paid but to volunteer and meet other alums. Thanks for eveyone's support.

Tim Stratton

email stratton89@aol.com

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Purdue hiring assistant only, for now

Lavin discusses TV, coaching opportunities with Wooden

By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200305130purdue_hoops1052802634.shtml

"If Steve Lavin aspires to succeed Gene Keady when the Purdue basketball coach retires, he must do so the old-fashioned way -- by earning it.

Lavin, who coached UCLA for the past seven seasons and was a Keady assistant from 1989-91, surfaced as a candidate to join Purdue's staff after 10-year assistant Jay Price accepted a position last week with new Illinois coach Bruce Weber -- also a former Boilermaker assistant.

On Monday, however, Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke -- through men's basketball sports information director Elliot Bloom -- said that under no circumstances will Price's replacement be guaranteed the head coaching position when Keady retires."

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Recruits have vested interest in hire

Coaching situation a big factor when making college decision

By Jeff Washburn, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200305091purdue_hoops1052457681.shtml

"Carmel's Josh McRoberts and Washington's Luke Zeller are high school sophomores. Indianapolis Pike's Robert Vaden has one more season of prep eligibility.

Yet with last week's announcement that Bruce Weber has agreed to a five-year contract to coach Illinois, and with Tuesday's news that Purdue assistant coach Jay Price will join Weber's staff, potential Boilermaker recruits have lots of questions.

•Many thought Weber -- an 18-year assistant at Purdue under Gene Keady -- would replace his former boss within three or four seasons. Now, that won't happen."

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Michael Pointer: Purdue Q&A
Indianapolis Star sports reporter Michael Pointer answers your questions about the Boilers.
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/6/024965-8476-117.html

May 15, 2003

"Question: What's up with Robert Vaden? I hear that he has backed out on his verbal commitment. He's more likely to go to IU now than Purdue. Gene Keady must go! He's not even one of the best coaches in the state anymore, let alone the country. Davis, Brey, Lickliter, and even Ron Hunter have him beat. (Brad from Fishers, Ind.)

Answer: As longtime readers of this forum know, I was never convinced Vaden was going to Purdue. I've said all along that if you pinned me down, I would say yes, but it was a very fluid situation. It is just a mess. As talented as Vaden is, Purdue might have made a big, big mistake in offering when he was a freshman. (I mean, he's good, but that made everyone think he was the next coming of LeBron James.)

Purdue only compounded the problem by offering a scholarship to Desmond Gadis, who it clearly didn't want and is a marginal Division I talent, to ensure it got Vaden. The Purdue coaches had to know this was likely going to change and they would end up with egg on their faces. Vaden dropped one hint after another that he was going to reconsider. And, as most of you know, Gadis' father is Vaden's legal guardian. Who knows, maybe when it became obvious that Purdue didn't want Desmond, he pushed him to look elsewhere?"

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Revamped field set for Great Alaska Shootout

By Journal and Courier staff reports

http://www.boilerstation.com/hoops/stories/200305140purdue_hoops1052888965.shtml

"Former Great Alaska Shootout champions Purdue (1993), Duke (1995) and Seton Hall (1988) will headline the 2003 event set for Nov. 26-29 at Anchorage's Sullivan Arena.

The revamped eight-team field, announced Tuesday by Alaska-Anchorage athletic director Steve Cobb, also will include Houston, Pacific, Liberty, Southwest Texas and host Alaska-Anchorage.

Liberty and Southwest Texas are replacements for South Carolina and Southern California, which dropped out because of scheduling conflicts.

Purdue tentatively will play Alaska-Anchorage in a first-round game on Nov. 26."

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Football Team Ranked Preseason No. 12 By The Sporting News

Schweigert named first team All-American, nation's No. 1 free safety

May 20, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/052003aac.html

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Sporting News has ranked the 2003 Purdue football team No. 12 in its preseason poll. The Boilermakers are picked third in the Big Ten Conference.

Individually, senior Stuart Schweigert is a first team All-American and the nation's No. 1 free safety.

Senior Niko Koutouvides is the No. 6 middle linebacker, senior Shaun Phillips is the No. 6 defensive end, senior John Standeford is the No. 14 wide receiver and senior Landon Johnson is the No. 16 outside linebacker.

Purdue's linebacking corps of Koutouvides, Johnson, senior Gilbert Gardner and junior Jon Goldsberry is ranked No. 5.

The Boilermakers open the season Sept. 6 against Bowling Green at Ross-Ade Stadium."

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Athlon Sports Tabs Football Preseason No. 19

Magazine says Boilermakers 'can make a serious run at the Big Ten championship'

May 7, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050703aab.html

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Spring football is over, meaning the preseason prognostications can begin.

Athlon Sports ranks Purdue No. 19 in the nation, fourth in the Big Ten Conference. The magazine began a daily rundown of its top 25 on April 28. Notre Dame, which will travel to Purdue on Sept. 27, checked in at No. 22.

"If Purdue can cut down on their turnovers (a league-high 34 last year), the Boilers can make a serious run at the Big Ten championship," the magazine says. "Purdue has a lot of experience on defense and Joe Tiller's offenses are always explosive. Quarterback Kyle Orton has his top two receivers back, so if his rebuilt line can give him time, look for Purdue to move the football and score some points. The close games that went against Purdue will have to fall the right way in '03 for Purdue to head to the BCS."

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White Defeats Black 27-6 In Football Spring Game

Orton and Stubblefield connect for two touchdowns

2003 Spring Game Statistics in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

April 26, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042603aaa.html

"FORT WAYNE, Ind. - On a picture-perfect day in front of a capacity crowd of 5,000, the Purdue football team held its annual Spring Game at D'Arcy Stadium on Saturday.

After four quarters with a running clock, the White team defeated the Black team 27-6.

Despite several Boilermakers sitting out the contest due to injury, several players provided highlights during the afternoon.

The first touchdown of the contest came on a Joey Harris 63-yard run on the White team's first play from scrimmage."

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2003 Spring Football Cumulative Statistics

Check out how the Boilermakers fared in their two scrimmages and the Spring Game

April 28, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042803aab.html

2003 Spring Football Cumulative Statistics in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.- Below are Purdue's final statistics for the 2003 spring season, including two scrimmages and the Spring Game.

Junior quarterback Kyle Orton led the passing attack by completing 36 of 64 passes (56.3 percent) for 590 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Junior wide receiver Taylor Stubblefield paced the receiving corps with 16 catches for 253 yards (15.8 average) and two touchdowns. The running game was paced by redshirt freshman Jerome Brooks with 216 yards on 51 carries (4.2 average) and two touchdowns."

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Mruczkowski Signs Free-Agent Contract With New England

Patriots now have four former Boilermakers on roster

May 18, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/051803aaa.html

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - After going undrafted because of concerns about his surgically repaired knee, former Purdue offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski has signed with the New England Patriots as a free agent.

The 6-foot-3, 297-pound Mruczkowski, from Cleveland, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his final regilar-season game and missed the Boilermakers' 2002 Sun Bowl game. He had started 48 consecutive games, the first 24 at left guard and the last 24 at center."

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Odom Selected In Sixth Round Of NFL Draft

Chicago takes linebacker with 191st overall pick

April 27, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042703aaa.html

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue linebacker Joe Odom was selected in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon.

A native of Bethalto, Ill., on the west side of the state, the 6-foot-1, 241-pound Odom was the 191st overall pick. He was the only Purdue player taken in this year's draft. "

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Two Boilermakers Agree To NFL Free-Agent Deals

Lougheed signs with Chicago, Lowe reaches agreement with Indianapolis

April 28, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/042803aaa.html

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Shortly after the conclusion of the 2003 NFL Draft, two former Boilermakers agreed to free-agent deals. Offensive tackle Pete Lougheed signed with the Chicago Bears, while Montrell Lowe reached an agreement with the Indianapolis Colts."

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Makeover nearly complete

Phase I of Ross-Ade renovation expected to be done by Aug. 15

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200305170purdue_football1053233540.shtml

"For the second season in a row, Purdue fans attending home football games will see a new and improved Ross-Ade Stadium.

That's because work is being completed on Phase I of a potential three-phase renovation project.

"Phase I is scheduled to end at the beginning of the football season," said Steve Simmerman, facilities operations director. "We're on schedule to have everything completed by Aug. 15."

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Purdue football seat reallocation 'very smooth'

Ticket orders trail 2002 pace

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200305180purdue_football1053234141.shtml

The Ross-Ade Stadium renovation project has made life interesting for employees in the Purdue athletic ticket office.

Because of the addition of 1,400 outdoor club seats, and with wider seats and aisles, ticket manager George Ade has about 5,000 fewer tickets to sell.

"Most of the seats will be lost on the west side, because of the outdoor club seating," Ade said. "A lot of those club seats are between the 30-yard lines, below the pavilion. It wouldn't be fair not to reseat the whole stadium."

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Ross-Ade, Remade

East side, entry nearing completion

May 9, 2003

Latest Renovation photos

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/050903aaa.html

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Joe Tiller's Five Most Memorable Games

Grid boss ranks his personal favorites

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041003aab.html

"In his six seasons, Joe Tiller has engineered the Boilermakers to an impressive collection of memorable moments. During the 2002 season, Tiller was asked to rank his top five games. It was a daunting task, albeit fun, with at least twice that many games under consideration. The "Fab Five" follows:

No. 5 - #24 Purdue 35, Minnesota 28 (OT)
September 29, 2001 - Metrodome - Minneapolis, Minn. "

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