GBI Express

The Authority on Purdue Athletics volume 22, EX 29 • april 16, 2012 In this issue: High Marks • Pages 1-14: Spring Football Coverage • Pages 17-18: Men's Basketball Notes • Page 21: Baseball Streaking Inside The Numbers Hope declares spring a success BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com C oach Danny Hope and his Purdue staff had goals to accomplish this spring and checked many off the list. R Integrating three new defensive coaches, installing a new scheme complete with fresh terminology, instilling different practice habits and standards that included being accountable and executing assignments consistently while forming an aggressive, attacking, turnover-creating mentality. R Being careful to limit injuries, both new and cautiously protecting those recovering. R Getting consistent snaps for Robert Marve at quarterback, helping him try Tom Campbell to make up ground for all Though plans changed — the Black and Gold game scheduled for Ross-Ade Stadium turned into a scrimmage inside Mollenkopf — Coach he'd lost over the last year Danny Hope and his players still thought the finale was a good wrap for a successful spring ball season. while rehabbing from a knee line and receiver for units otherNo wonder Hope declared think the focus and concentration injury. wise thin on players with proven spring ball a success, despite it were excellent. R Taking the approach of deending without a game in front of "It was an excellent spring veloping depth on the offensive game experience. R Lining up and developing fans at Ross-Ade Stadium but in- practice. It was a lot of fun and a physical mentality while also be- side with a scrimmage in front of they gave great effort. We never coming a more disciplined team. media, alumni and recruits. had to coach effort out here this Upcoming R Figuring out a rotation in "For this football team, I'd spring. That's a great sign for our GBI EXPRESS a talent-laden secondary that in- give it an A," Hope said when team." EX 30: May 23 cludes several rising stars to bal- asked to give the spring a grade. Perhaps the biggest point of Date subject to change. ance with talented veterans. "I think the effort was excellent. I emphasis was installing the deGBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com 2.5 Purdue baseball's lead in the Big Ten race over Minnesota, though it's just one game in the loss column. The Boilermakers are looking for their first Big Ten crown since 1909. The ranking of men's basketball's 2012 recruiting class, according to Rivals.com. A.J. Hammons, Raphael Davis and Ronnie Johnson were all designated 4-stars. The total number of members of the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame, after eight former Boilermakers were inducted on Saturday. The first class was inducted 18 years ago. Number of Big Ten schools that had to alter their spring game (or open practice) plans due to weather this past Saturday. Indiana, Nebraska and Ohio State joined Purdue in having to go to Plan B. 20 126 4 fense. The base still will be a 4-3, but toward the end of spring, coordinator Tim Tibesar apparently started adding some 3-4 packages. Defensive end Robert Maci was practicing some at linebacker — though Purdue only played 4-3 and a handful of snaps in nickel in the scrimmage — and it's possible other ends will be asked to drop back into coverage some. Tibesar wants to be able to confuse offenses by disguising the Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 22, express 29  •  1

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