Oct. 20, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102003aab.html

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"No. 10/10 Purdue Boilermakers (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten Conference)
at No. 13/15 Michigan (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten Conference)
Michigan Stadium (107,501) - Ann Arbor, Michigan
October 25, 2003 - 3:30 p.m. EDT

ALL-TIME RECORD: 535-454-48 (.539) - 116th season
BIG TEN RECORD: 287-316-32 (.477) - 108th season

PROJECTED ATTENDANCE: 110,000+ (sellout)

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), Gary Kline (engineer)

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

A LOOK AT THE BOILERMAKERS: The 10th-ranked Purdue football team, under seventh-year head coach Joe Tiller, squares off against 13th/15th-ranked Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. It is the Boilermakers' second straight road game - both against ranked opponents - after a four-game homestand. Purdue is one of merely two schools in the Big Ten and one of only 13 nationally to play in a bowl game each of the last six seasons.

IF THE BOILERMAKERS WIN ...
* They will be 7-1 for the first time since 1978 and 4-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1980.
* They will have a seven-game inseason winning streak for the first time since 1979.
* They will win at Michigan for the first time since 1966 and for just the fifth time overall in 30 trips to Ann Arbor. "

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Boiler basics match up against Michigan muscle

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By Steve Miller
Assistant Sports Editor

http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/23§ion=sports&storyid=football

On paper, Purdue doesn't look as if it stands a chance against Michigan this weekend.

"That's the same thing with every Michigan team," junior quarterback Kyle Orton said. "More than likely, they're going to have better athletes than you."

The Boilers' game against the Wolverines on Saturday is shaping up to be an epic matchup between the gifted athleticism of Michigan (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) and the solid fundamentals of Purdue (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten).

Orton thinks that, if things go the way he's planned, fundamentals will win.

"It's just a matter of going out, playing smart football and executing plays," he said."

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It doesn't get any bigger than this for Boilermakers

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/columns/200310240purdue_football1066973701.shtml

"The similarities are striking.

Twenty-three years ago, a Purdue football team went up to Ann Arbor with high hopes of knocking off Michigan in the Big House. In fact, the sentiment among Boilermaker fans was nearly unanimous -- this was the Purdue team that could win in Michigan Stadium.

After all, those 1980 Boilermakers were led by quarterback Mark Herrmann. No. 16 Purdue headed to Ann Arbor for its Nov. 15 date with the 11th-ranked Wolverines with a 7-2 record, and dreams of playing in the Rose Bowl. A victory at Michigan would put Purdue in the driver's seat, with only a home game against Indiana (which Purdue won 24-23) remaining.

I remember spending the night before the game in a popular Ann Arbor student hangout at the time, called Dooley's. It was wall-to-wall, elbow-to-elbow people. The famed Michigan fight song, "The Victors", blared out every 15 minutes or so, and you had to be careful you didn't get decked by Michigan fans raising their right fists every time the song called for a Hail."

________________________________

Michigan game tests Purdue's offense

By Steve Miller
Assistant Sports Editor

http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/24§ion=sports&storyid=index

"They're big. They're fast. They're strong.

But they're beatable.

The members of Michigan's rugged defense may be among the best defenders in the country, but the Purdue offense is no bunch of pushovers either.

"Coming into these next few games, we're going to be in trouble if we don't score touchdowns down in the red zone," Orton said. "Obviously we're not going to score a touchdown every time, but we've got to cash in on those opportunities."

If Purdue's offense hasn't proven itself yet, its performance against Michigan should erase any doubts.

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Weekly Football Press Conference

Selected coach and player quotes from Tuesday, Oct. 21

Oct. 21, 2003

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -

Joe Tiller, Head Coach

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102203aaa.html

"On the win against Wisconsin and the week ahead...
"It's great to win a game in the Big Ten Conference, it doesn't matter who the opponent is or where you're playing. A conference win is always an important win for your football team. We feel fortunate to have gone to Madison and won a football game against a very good Wisconsin team. Now here we go again, we're back on the road to Ann Arbor to play a superb Michigan team, so it will be the ultimate challenge for our team."

On the national trend of skyrocketing offensive statistics...
"If the talent level continues to improve and it gets dispersed around the country, those numbers can be improved on. I don't know if you're going to see schools breaking (national) records, but I suspect you're going to see schools breaking their university's records in terms of offensive productivity in the passing game. I do think it is a trend that is not likely to reverse itself, because everything kind of bounces down hill. For instance, at the college level, what you see is a tremendous amount of zone blitzing now. You never saw three to five years ago, but it started in the NFL and now it's at the collegiate level. Colleges are throwing the football all over the place, and five years ago you didn't see that many high schools throwing it, but now you see a lot of them throwing it all over the place. So they're going to produce that type of a player, and I suspect this is going to be a continuing saga."

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Boilers have skid to snap
Purdue hasn't won a game at Michigan Stadium since winning streak in mid-1960s.
http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/2/085731-8062-041.html
Ann Arbor blues

Purdue has lost 15 consecutive games at Michigan Stadium dating to a 22-21 victory on Oct. 15, 1966. Among the most memorable:
• Oct. 11, 1969 -- Michigan 31, Purdue 20: Purdue quarterback Mike Phipps enters as nation's total offense leader, but Boilers commit seven turnovers in their first-ever game on artificial turf.
• Nov. 19, 1972 -- Michigan 9, Purdue 6: Unranked Boilers outrush No. 3 Michigan 126-100, but Wolverines get the victory on Mike Lantry's 36-yard field goal with one minute left.
• Nov. 15, 1980 -- Michigan 26, Purdue 0: Both teams are 6-0 in the Big Ten, but Purdue star quarterback Mark Herrmann throws four interceptions and Boilers fail to get a first down over the final 36 minutes.
• Oct. 2, 1999 -- Michigan 38, Purdue 12: No. 11 Purdue enters with nation-best 10-game winning streak, but Boilers drop 11 passes and have three bad snaps against No. 4 Wolverines.
• Oct. 13, 2001 -- Michigan 24, Purdue 10: The 17th-ranked Boilers enter 4-0, but commit 15 penalties and four turnovers against No. 12 Wolverines.

By Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com
October 23, 2003

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Hard as it is to believe, there was a time when Purdue owned Michigan at the Big House.

The Boilermakers beat the Wolverines five consecutive times during the 1960s -- the final four at Michigan Stadium -- culminating in a 22-21 victory on Oct. 15, 1966. That Purdue team eventually earned the school's first Rose Bowl bid.

The Boilers didn't play in Ann Arbor again until 1969, Bo Schembechler's first season as Michigan coach. Purdue star quarterback Mike Phipps threw four interceptions that day in the Wolverines' 31-20 victory.

That began a stretch of 15 consecutive Purdue losses there, heading into Saturday's showdown in Ann Arbor between No. 10 Purdue and No. 13 Michigan.

"Purdue has never been ranked higher in this game (since 1969 at Michigan)," said Gary Danielson, the former Purdue quarterback who will be ABC's color commentator during Saturday's game. "What's the big mystery? You've got the better team playing at home."

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Boilermakers can turn historic tide with tough defense
http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/23§ion=sports&storyid=michigancolumn

"As if playing on the road against what Purdue coaches have called "one of the most talented Michigan teams ever" isn't tough enough, the Boilers must beat something else on Saturday.

History.

Games aren't won or lost based on the past, but it takes a focused team to tune out a 37-year drought — the last Purdue win in Ann Arbor came in 1966.

Especially when it's printed daily for the team to read in newspapers.

The Boilers haven't read into the hype, whether it's for or against them, since the loss to Bowling Green. Don't expect a trip to Ann Arbor to change that."

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The Daily Word - Weekly Previews
By Andy Gamm

http://www.thefinalscore.net/

"Purdue at Michigan - Game Time: 3:30 EDT / TV: ABC
Unlike last week, where you could have arguably assigned Game of the Week honors to any one of three match-ups, there is but one entrant this week. Purdue sits at 3-0, a half game behind conference leader Michigan State. Michigan is 3-1, a game back with two shots at the only unbeatens in successive weeks. The Boilermakers have not won in Michigan in my lifetime but come into this game in much the same fashion as Iowa last year. The Wolverines really control their own destiny with upcoming games against three of the best in the Big Ten. These teams have had some intense battles over the past decade and this one should be no different. With a lot of talent flowing to West Lafayette from Michigan these days, this one should have a rivalry type atmosphere.

This game features two of the best passers in the Big Ten. Kyle Orton had been doing more handing off than passing until last week's win over Wisconsin and leads a multi-faceted attack. What might surprise most is that Purdue boasts three able-bodied running backs, two of which reside in the league's top ten for rushing yards per game. Michigan rides the legs of Chris Perry who has put together the best season of his career. Both teams have a pair of money receivers - Purdue has John Standeford and Taylor Stubblefield, Michigan has Braylon Edwards and Jason Avant. The maize and blue are slightly better in the passing game, but not quite to Purdue's production on the ground. Both teams can rack up the points, are efficient with the passing game and on key conversions. In fact, there isn't an area where either team stands above the other. Yet another reason to watch this game.

With the potency of these offenses, the game will come down to defense and special teams. This is where Purdue has an advantage, even if it is fairly minimal. The gold and black are allowing only 15.7 ppg to Michigan's 24. The Wolverines are slightly better than Purdue in terms of passing yards allowed (134.0 ypg to 149.0 ypg) and passing efficiency defense (84.8 to 90.8) but are not as strong against the run (80.3 ypg to 178.8 ypg)or overall (229.3 ypg to 312.8 ypg). The Boilers also get more turnovers though they have only forced a few more, they cough it up with less frequency. So, while one edge swings in Purdue's favor (defense), special teams might even it back out. Purdue is getting better kicking, but Michigan is rock solid in its return game, led by Steve Breaston, who is poised to break the single season record for punt return yards with four games remaining. If Purdue is smart, they will keep it away from this fantastic frosh. The overall keys are otherwise quite simple: The team with the best balance and the least mistakes (turnovers in particular) will win this game. A second straight big road win by Purdue might just propel the gold and black to a conference title. An "upset" home win by Michigan might do the same for the maize and blue. In an otherwise coin flip prediction, I'll default to my preseason pick of Purdue over Michigan in this game. PURDUE 24 - MICHIGAN 23.

Bucks Fan says... The real question here is whether or not the Wolverines have mentally packed it in for the year since the National Championship is out of reach with two losses. If Michigan plays to win out and have another nice vacation...er...bowl game, then this game would seem to favor Michigan since it is at home. Purdue seems hungry and does not seem likely to get caught up in the talking heads drooling over their defense - they are legitimate contenders for this years Big Ten title. This game will be a close, hard fought battle that has all the makings of a classic game. The match up of Michigan's athletes on offense versus the great defense for Purdue will be fun to watch. Conversely, the Purdue offense seems to be clicking and will be a real challenge for the UM defense to handle. Purdue just seems hungrier to get to the top and I see them pulling out a close game on the road to join Michigan State atop the Big Ten standings. Prediction: Purdue 20 - Michigan 17"\

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Trio has high hopes for Boilers
http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/24§ion=sports&storyid=editorspicks

"No. 10 Purdue (6-1, 3-0) at No. 13 Michigan (6-2, 3-1)

The Juggernaut: As I said in Thursday's column: Purdue 27, Michigan 10

Timmah!: "Big House"? What Big House? After those rowdy Wisconsin fans (props to the "big red" student section), one of the most intimidating home fields in college football, Michigan Stadium, should seem rather subdued. Sure it's big, but it's what happens on the field. Purdue’s "D" and "O" end up the victors. Purdue 17, Michigan 10

Doug's Decision: Michigan is good. Purdue is good. Purdue definitely can win. I want to pick them to win. But I just don't have the good feeling that I had last week. If they do lose, it will be the last time this year. Michigan 24, Purdue 20
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Dyeing for victories

Purdue tackle tints goatee in opponents' colors for inspiration

By Tom Kubat, Journal and Courier

http://www.boilerstation.com/football/stories/200310230purdue_football1066887563.shtml

"As far as goatees go, Kelly Butler's is pretty average. Actually, a little on the shaggy side.

But on Thursdays, the Purdue junior offensive tackle's facial hair takes on a personality all its own.

Beginning with the Notre Dame game earlier this season, Butler has dyed his goatee the color of the Boilermakers' opponent each week.

"I don't know why I did it," Butler said. "I just wanted to do something different for the Notre Dame game. Something fun. I would always shave my head but I wanted to do something different, just because it was Notre Dame."

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Boilers draw victory from vein of maturity
By Steve Miller
Assistant Sports Editor

http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/22§ion=sports&storyid=football

"Experience is the best teacher.

The Purdue football team has learned its lessons over the years.

"People have asked me, 'Is this the best team you've had at Purdue?'" Coach Joe Tiller said. "My response has been, 'I guess we'll all know at the end of the season.'

"But I will say this: This is the most mature team I've had since I've been at Purdue."

Maturity should play a part on Saturday, when the Boilers (6-1, 3-0 Big Ten) head to the not-so-friendly confines of Michigan Stadium to take on the Wolverines (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten)."

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Purdue-Northwestern Football Game To Kick Off At Noon
ESPN to televise

Oct. 20, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102003aad.html

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Big Ten Conference announced this morning that the Purdue-Northwestern football game on Nov. 1 at Ross-Ade Stadium will kick off at noon.

The game will be televised nationally by ESPN. Mark Jones will call the play-by-play, with former Notre Dame head coach Bob Davie serving as analyst and Holly Rowe reporting from the sidelines.

This Sunday, Oct. 26, daylight savings time ends across the country. As a result, the state of Indiana will "shift" from central time (Chicago) to eastern time (New York)."

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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

October 23, 2003

"Question: Can Purdue make a BCS bowl with one more loss, or do they need to win out to have a legitimate shot at a BCS berth? (Daniel from West Lafayette, Ind.)

Answer: The only way I could see them getting in with two losses is if they won the Big Ten. That would put them in the Rose Bowl, obviously. But two losses would eliminate them from an at-large bid to the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar Bowls. There were just too many teams ahead of them in the initial BCS standings.

Question: With Gary Ware and Carl Landry now on board for the year after next, what do you think of that recruiting class? Any ideas on what the basketball team might do with such a huge class of juniors? (Adam from Indianapolis)

Answer: That's a good question because it's hard for me to get a read on junior college players. That move is much more difficult than you might expect. There are a lot of great athletes in junior-college ball, but the intensity and expectations don't compare to the Division I level, in my opinion. I have heard great things about Landry, and I know his coach at Vincennes University, Dan Sparks, is a superb coach. If anybody can come in and make an immediate impact, he would be the guy, in my opinion.

Overall, it seems this was a good news-bad news kind of class. The good news is Purdue appears to have addressed its immediate goal of landing some talented big guys. But there's no question it missed out on some top high school products. Part of me says that's nothing new. It's no secret that Gene Keady has often taken guys who weren't considered future stars coming out of high school and helped make them good college players.

On the other hand, Keady has never quite gone for junior college players to this extent, either. And you're right about next year's junior class. There will be seven juniors, if all these junior college players qualify academically. That's good if the team meshes quickly. Then, you've got a chance for a really good team for two years."

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Basketball ticket sales increase
By Allison Bernard
Staff Writer

http://www.purdueexponent.org/interface/bebop/showstory.php?date=2003/10/23§ion=sports&storyid=BasketballTicketSales

"Purdue basketball season ticket sales for the men's and women's teams are on the rise, proving that the Boilers have a solid group of dedicated fans.

"We’re ahead of last year in both sports, so it’s looking up," said George Ade, athletic ticket manager.

On the men’s side, the 10,558 season ticket sales thus far have already surpassed last year’s total of 9,455.

Our student ticket prices are unbelievable, just $8 per game, compared to the public’s cost of $17 to $21 per game," said Rasmus.

Purdue will also offer the "ceiling fan" deal in which tickets are sold on the day of the game for $8 for the highest three rows of Mackey Arena.

The Gene Pool, for men’s games, is in its third year of existence and, as of Oct. 10, 3,100 students have bought memberships as compared to last season's 1,800 members.

The Gene Pool offers students a variety of perks including seating closest to the floor, pre-season and post-season parties with the team, game-day e-mails and a live scouting report 15 minutes before the game.

"Everyone who comes loves (the scouting report) because the coaches will go into the section and talk about the game strategy against that day's opponent," said Rasmus. "People also get to ask the coaches questions at the end."

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Kiefer, McKnight set to surprise at Purdue
By CURT RALLO
Tribune Staff Writer

http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2003/10/22/sports.20031022-sbt-MARS-B1-Kiefer__McKnight_set.sto

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Basketball season hasn't even started, but Purdue coach Gene Keady fired off the first shot Tuesday morning at the Purdue men's basketball media day.

Keady was asked about the recruit who got away, 6-foot-5 Mr. Everything Robert Vaden of Indianapolis Pike. Vaden verbally committed to Purdue, but then he switched to Indiana.

Without naming names, like Indiana head coach Mike Davis, it seemed obvious that Keady's shot was aimed in the direction of arch-enemy Indiana. Keady said that coaches with integrity don't continue to recruit players who have verbally committed to another school.

"If I know a kid is committed to a school, we won't touch him or call him or anything," Keady said. "I tell my assistants, he's done. He's not on the recruiting list anymore.

"It's a disappointment, but everybody has different rules about their lives, so I can't judge other people," Keady continued. "That's other coaches' business to do what they think they have to do in order to win."

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Men's Basketball Holds Annual Media Day

Boilermakers take day off practice to discuss upcoming season

Oct. 21, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102103aaa.html

Photo Gallery

The men's basketball team held their annual basketball media day in the Cary Quad All-American Dining Hall on Tuesday from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Below are some of the comments made during the event which featured over 20 media members.

Purdue Coach Gene Keady

On the team captains for 2003-04
"Well right now Kenny Lowe, and then we'll go from there. I'm taking Brett Buscher with me to Chicago to start with, so those two will be there. Other than that, we'll see how the season goes and hopefully end up having six before it's over."

On if the program is headed in the right direction
"Three things that we were disgruntled about after the Iowa loss two years ago, were team chemistry, leadership, and fundamentals. Team chemistry seems to be very good this year. We like the harmony. The team leadership has been tremendous. We've had more vocal chatter in practice than we've had in years, and the coaches have done a great job with fundamentals this season. I think that those things are back on track. I think that you could see that last year after the LSU win that we were back where we wanted to be at that point. Of course, we would have rather have beaten Texas, but it didn't happen. I think that those were the three things that we were really concerned about. We think that they're back established now."

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Men's Basketball Holds First Practice

Veteran Boilermakers work out for three hours

Oct. 18, 2003

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/101803aaa.html

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue men's basketball team went through its first full practice on Saturday afternoon.

The Boilermakers held an enthusiastic practiced from noon to 3 p.m. in a Mackey Arena.

"We got off to a good start today," said coach Gene Keady, now in his 24th season at Purdue. "The guys were enthusiastic and seemed very anxious to be practicing instead of going through conditioning and individual workouts."

The Boilermakers return 12 letterwinners and four starters from a team which tied for third in the Big Ten last season. Purdue has six seniors on roster and return 115 starts from last year. In all, it returns 193 starts among all returning players.

"It's a little easier in the beginning when you have so much experience on the team," said assistant coach Cuonzo Martin. "The guys picked things up where we left off last year and had a good practice today."

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New Banners Honor Purdue's Basketball Tradition

Mackey Arena banners commemorate championships and past All-Americans

Oct. 20, 2003

Photo Gallery

http://purduesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102003aaa.html

"WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The majority of the new banners honoring Purdue's champion basketball teams and All-Americans are hung in Mackey Arena.

The men's Big Ten championship banners, numbering 21, are black with gold and white trim. They are hung in clusters of five, with the 1996 banner on its own.

The 11 women's Big Ten championship banners, which will be hung in the same cluster format this week, are gold with black and white trim.

The men's four postseason banners, as well as the women's three postseason banners, are white with black and gold trim. The women's banners also bear the NCAA logos from the 1994, 1999 and 2001 Final Fours.

The banners honoring the 10 Purdue men's basketball consensus."