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| | Sunday, September 3 Roses? It won't be a Brees for Boilermakers | |||||
| By Jeff Potrykus Special to ESPN.com Purdue Boilermakes 1999 record: 7-5 (4-4 Big Ten) Coach: Joe Tiller. Returning starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense) Outlook When quarterback Drew Brees announced last December he would return for his senior season, the Boilermakers became instant contenders. No defensive coordinator enjoys preparing for Brees, who has passed for 7,894 yards and 64 touchdowns in his two seasons as a starter. The Boilermakers return four starters on the line, which has allowed the fewest sacks in the conference in each of the past two seasons. That is incredible considering the Boilermakers have passed more than any other Big Ten team during that time. However, in order for the Boilermakers to finish first or second in the standings they must find a way to score touchdowns in the red zone. A year ago, they scored just 31 touchdowns on 60 trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line. "We're going to ignore the red zone and score from 40 yards and out," Tiller said, laughing. "To hell with the red zone. We don't what to do when we get there." Keep an eye on ... Sophomore tailback Montrell Lowe. Yes, Brees is the focal point of the offense. But the Boilermakers are most dangerous when they can run the ball effectively because that balance prevents defenses from sitting back and playing the pass exclusively. Lowe rushed for 841 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and five touchdowns last season despite starting only six games. If he can crack the 1,000-yard mark this season it will bode well for Purdue's offense. It's a good season if ... Brees didn't put the NFL on hold to see his team finish in the middle of the pack in the conference standings. The Boilermakers want a Big Ten championship, their first since 1967, when they finished in a three-way tie. Jeff Potrykus covers the Big Ten for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
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