Sept. 6, 2010
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Sept. 11 Military Appreciation Day
Purdue Game Notes 
Television This Week
Big Ten Network
Play-By-Play - Tom Hart
Analyst - Anthony Herron
Sideline - Lisa Byington
Radio This Week
Purdue Sports Properties
Play-By-Play - Tim Newton
Analyst - Pete Quinn
Sideline - Kelly Kitchel
Producer - Rob Blackman
Engineer - Gary Kline
Sirius - Channel 161
XM - Channel 198
SOME GAME THEMES
The Boilermakers lift the 2010 curtain at Ross-Ade Stadium ... The Boilers look to build off the lessons learned in a 23-12 loss at Notre Dame on opening day ... Purdue and Western Illinois meet on the gridiron for the first time ... DE Ryan Kerrigan continues his assault on the career sacks record (5th, 22.0) ... WR Keith Smith looks to keep his consecutive games with a reception streak alive (25 straight).
Purdue vs. Western Illinois Series Information
Series record: First meeting
Purdue points: 0
Western Illinois points: 0
Series record in West Lafayette: First meeting
at Ross-Ade Stadium: First meeting
Series record in Macomb: First meeting
at Hanson Field: First meeting
Games decided by 3 points or less: First meeting
Games decided by 7 points or less: First meeting
Longest Purdue win streak: First meeting
Longest Western Illinois win streak: First meeting
Current streak: First meeting
Largest Purdue victory: First meeting
Largest Western Illinois victory: First meeting
Last Purdue home victory: First meeting
Last Purdue road victory: First meeting
Last Western Illinois home victory: First meeting
Last Western Illinois road victory: First meeting
THIS DATE IN BOILERMAKER FOOTBALL HISTORY
Purdue has played on Sept. 11 five times prior to Saturday ... The Boilermakers have won three consecutive games on this date, including a 28-23 victory over No. 16 Notre Dame in 1999 ... In 2004, Purdue matched the largest margin of victory in Ross-Ade Stadium history with a 59-7 win over Ball State ... The Boilermaker offense racked up 599 yards of total offense against the Cardinals (the sixth-most all-time), combining 368 yards passing with 231 yards on the ground ... Quarterback Kyle Orton was 23 of 26 for 329 yards with five touchdowns, while running back Jerrod Void averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 11 attempts ... Current Boilermaker graduate assistant coach Kyle Smith led all players with 10 tackles.
LAST WEEK'S QUICK HITS -- AT NOTRE DAME
The Purdue defense posted its first safety since Sept. 2, 2006, vs. Indiana State ... The Boilermakers finished with 322 yards total offense, including 220 yards passing ... Robert Marve scored the Boilermakers' first touchdown of the season, a 23-yard scamper in the fourth quarter ... Marve finished 31 for 42 passing, netting 220 yards and two interceptions ... Keith Smith logged a reception for the 25th consecutive game, finishing with 12 catches for 80 yards for the game ... It marked Smith's sixth career game with double-digit receptions ... Dan Dierking set career highs for rushing attempts, rushing yards and receptions, carrying nine times for 56 yards and hauling in five catches for 28 yards ... Ryan Kerrigan and Charlton Williams teamed up for their first career safety. Kerrigan finished with seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack, along with a forced fumble ... Kerrigan took over sole possession of fifth place on the Purdue career sacks list (22.0) ... Kerrigan, Williams and Jason Werner each had a team-high seven tackles ... Logan Link had five tackles, including one for loss, and a fumble recovery in his first collegiate appearance ... Carson Wiggs scored the Boilermakers' first points of the season, hitting a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter ... Wiggs also tied his career-best punt of 51 yards on his first try of the day. He finished averaging 42.0 per punt, including two inside the 20 ... Justin Siller appeared as a Boilermaker at his third different offensive position (quarterback, running back and wide receiver), posting four receptions for 34 yards ... Cornerback Ricardo Allen was the first true freshman to start a season opener for the Boilermakers since free safety Brandon Erwin in 2006 and the first true freshman to start a game for Purdue since offensive guard Ken Plue in 2008.
THANK YOU
The Purdue Department of Intercollegiate Athletics recognizes the importance of Saturday's date in history and has designated it Military Appreciation Day. Businesses and individuals graciously purchased tickets for the Purdue-Western Illinois game and donated them to members of the military and their families. Purdue Athletics matched each donated ticket, thereby doubling the number of tickets provided. On behalf of Boilermaker Nation, we salute and thank every man and woman who serves to protect our country's freedom.
BOILER BRIDGE WALK
Every Friday before home games, the Boilermakers will meet and greet their fellow citizens of Lafayette and West Lafayette as they walk across the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge. Fans of all ages are invited to join Purdue Pete, the cheerleaders, Purdue pep band, the Boilermaker Special and community leaders. A different youth organization will lead the team from the fountain on the West Lafayette side of the bridge across to Riehle Plaza, and the players will handout giveaway items each week. The Boiler Bridge Walk gets under way at 5:30 p.m.
Boiler Bridge Walk Dates
Sept. 10, Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 15, Nov. 5, Nov. 12, Nov. 26
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Prior to last Saturday's start at Notre Dame, junior quarterback Robert Marve's most recent competitive collegiate snap came against N.C. State on Nov. 29, 2008, while with Miami (Fla.). The first-year Purdue starter showed a little rust in his return, completing 13 of 18 passes for 86 yards with an interception in the first half, but came out on fire in the second 30 minutes of play. In the third quarter alone, Marve was 11 for 13 for 95 yards, and he finished the second half 18 of 24 for 134 yards to go along with a 23-yard touchdown run.
FRESH FACES AND DIFFERENT PLACES
A total of 17 players made their first appearance in the Old Gold and Black last Saturday, including six true freshmen and four redshirt frosh, while three players made encore appearances at new positions. The starting lineup featured five newcomers and all three position-swap guys.
st Career Games (Italics denote starter)
CB Ricardo Allen, S Max Charlot, CB Mike Eargle, DT Bruce Gaston, QB Rob Henry, TE Gabe Holmes, FB Derek Jackson, DT Justin Kitchens, WR Kurt Lichtenberg, S Logan Link, LB Will Lucas, OT Trevor Foy, QB Robert Marve, DE Eric Mebane, RB Reggie Pegram, WR O.J. Ross, DT Brandon Taylor
Different Positions (Italics denote starter)
C Peters Drey, OT Nick Mondek, WR Justin Siller
HAULING THEM IN
After moving from quarterback to safety and finally to wide receiver, fifth-year senior Keith Smith has finally found a home. The Big Ten's leading pass catcher in 2009 (91-1,100 yards, 6 TDs) has had at least one reception in all 25 games he has lined up at receiver. The streak places him tied for ninth among the national leaders in the category ... Smith's 12-catch effort at Notre Dame last Saturday was his sixth career double-digit reception game ... Smith recorded six 100-yard games in 2009, including tying the school record with four consecutive games over the century mark, and his seven career 100-yard contests places him in a tie with Vinny Sutherland for the sixth-most at Purdue.
Current National Leaders - Consecutive Games With a Catch
Scotty McKnight (Colorado, Sr.) - 38
Dwayne Harris (East Carolina, Sr.) - 32
James Rodgers (Oregon State, Sr.) - 30
Jock Sanders (West Virginia, Sr.) - 29
Tyson Carrier (Houston, Jr.) - 28
Greg Salas (Hawaii, Sr.) - 28
Damaris Johnson (Tulsa, Jr.) - 27
Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma, Jr.) - 26
Keith Smith (Purdue, Sr.) - 25
Kris Adams (UTEP, Sr.) - 25
Doug Beaumont (Louisville, Sr.) - 25
Kito Poblah (Central Michigan, Sr.) - 25
Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M, Jr.) - 25
Kendall Wright (Baylor, Jr.) - 25
GENES
Three current Boilermakers have fathers that had long professional careers in the National Football League. Senior running back Dan Dierking's father Scott played running back for eight seasons with the New York Jets and Tampa Bay, junior quarterback Robert Marve's father Eugene played linebacker for 11 seasons in the NFL for Buffalo, Tampa Bay and San Diego and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Brandon Taylor is the son of NFL Hall of Famer and 13-year New York Football Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor.
THEY'RE WATCHING YOU
Ryan Kerrigan might want to make sure he's not being followed. The senior defensive end was listed on five separate watch lists and nominated for a sixth national award during the preseason. Kerrigan is on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Rotary Lombardi Award, Lott Trophy and Ted Hendricks Award. He has also been nominated for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The Muncie, Ind., native led the Big Ten in sacks last season (13.0) and after recording his initial sack of the 2010 season last weekend at Notre Dame took over sole possession of fifth-place on the Purdue career sacks list (22.0). Last year he led the nation in fumbles forced per game (.58) and already has one this season.
THEY'RE WATCHING YOU, TOO
Junior guard Ken Plue is on the watch list for the Outland Trophy and fifth-year wide out Keith Smith is on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award.
NOT A VERY GRACIOUS HOST
When the Boilermakers host Western Illinois on Sept. 11 it will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Purdue has been pretty unkind to others when playing for the first time, posting a 79-29-3 record (.725) in the initial meeting against 111 different opponents.
DOING IT WITH HIS FEET
Four sacks altered the final tally, but quarterback Robert Marve had some success running the ball against the Irish. On his six "true" rushing attempts, Marve averaged 7.3 yards per carry, gaining 44 yards, including a 23-yard score for Purdue's lone touchdown.
GOING FOR THE RECORD
Spend any time around head coach Danny Hope and at some point you're going to hear about setting a world record. Hope made the rounds during the offseason touting the leg of kicker Carson Wiggs and his ability to boot long field goals. Wiggs, already the school-record holder with a 59-yarder against Toledo last season, hit a number of 60-plus field goals in training camp, including a 67-yarder. Hope has gone on a record that he'll allow the junior try one from 70 if the conditions are right. The NCAA Division I record for a made field goal is 67 yards set by Russell Erxleben (Texas, 1977) and matched by Steve Little (Arkansas, 1977) and Joe Williams (Wichita State, 1978). All three of the record holders were allowed to use a two-inch tee, something that Wiggs will not benefit from. Michigan State's Morten Anderson booted the longest field goal in Big Ten history, 63 yards, against Ohio State in 1981.
Longest Field Goals In NCAA History (Source: NCAA Division I Football Records Book)
67 yards - Russell Erxleben, Texas (vs. Rice) in 1977 - 2-inch tee
67 yards - Steve Little, Arkansas (vs. Texas) in 1977 - 2-inch tee
67 yards - Joe Williams, Wichita State (vs. Southern Illinois) in 1978 - 2-inch tee
65 yards - Martin Gramatica, Kansas State (vs. Northern Illinois) in 1998 - No tee
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Coming out of spring practice, the Boilermaker players voted on their six captains for the 2010 season. Tight end Kyle Adams, running back Dan Dierking and wide receiver Keith Smith will represent the offense, while defensive ends Gerald Gooden and Ryan Kerrigan, along with linebacker Jason Werner will represent the defense.
ANOTHER OLD TIMER
For a second consecutive season a Purdue player has felt the compassion of the NCAA. Due to a laundry list of medical issues early in his career, linebacker Jason Werner was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the governing body of collegiate athletics. Werner follows in the footsteps of safety Torri Williams, who got a sixth year to play from the NCAA last season. Werner made his 13th consecutive start against Notre Dame last Saturday and tied for the team lead with seven total tackles, including 1.5 for losses and a sack.
AROUND THE BIG TEN
Keith Smith's 12 receptions against Notre Dame were the most by a Big Ten receiver and his 80 yards were the sixth most on opening day ... Robert Marve's 220 yards passing were the fifth most by a league signal caller, just 27 shy of the opening day high of 247 by Ohio State's Terrell Pryor ... Ryan Kerrigan's 2.5 tackles for loss matched Illinois' Corey Liuget for the most in the conference, and he was one of 10 conference players to record a sack.
ON THE AIR
Head coach Danny Hope's television show will air at 4 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. Each week coach Hope go over highlights from the previous game, host one of the Boilermaker student-athletes, discuss coaching techniques with a taped segment from the Purdue assistant coaches and look forward to the next opponent ... Coach Hope will also host a weekly radio show in West Lafayette at Puccini's restaurant. Local fans are encouraged to stop by in person to see the show live.
