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comprehensive look at what we says, could come in the next few series that has played consecu- complicated due to changes in can do." weeks. But when it does, it'll likely tively since 1946. Purdue wants to the football landscape, including An announcement, Burke include a different look for the continue its series, but it has been a nine-game Big Ten schedule news and notes Cornerback Normondo Harris is likely out, Hazell said, with a thigh bruise and ankle sprain. Defensive tackle Ryan Watson and Jack linebacker Jalani Phillips remain questionable. Purdue also expects to see the return of safety Landon Feichter. Webster Earns National Award Cody Webster was named the Ray Guy Player-of-the-Week Monday after an effort against Ohio State that saw the punter average 49.5 punts on his eight attempts. Webster's day included boots of 67 and 73 yards, helping to offset his first attempt, a 15-yarder that set up the Buckeyes' first offensive score in their 56-0 route. Interestingly, Webster was a national award winner, but not a Big Ten award winner; instead, the conference gave its Special Teams Player-of-the-Week award to a different punter, Minnesota's Peter Mortell, who averaged 43 yards per attempt in a Gopher win. Webster, an active Tweeter, took to his account Monday afternoon to express dismay. But he says the snubs help fuel him. "I just want to create a culture for punters, that we're players too," he said. "It makes them (at the Big Ten) look bad for me to be a national punter-of-the-week and I don't even get the Big Ten. What does that say about who they have actually rating these awards? Does it make it more reliable or valid? You don't really know." Webster, a Ray Guy nominee, is currently 10th nationally and first in the Big Ten in punting average — he's hitting 44.8 yards on Easier Now Tom Campbell Cody Webster was a national award winner after his performance vs. OSU, when he averaged about 50 yards per punt. the season, with 18 of his 49 punts landing inside the 20 without a touchback — and Purdue's punt unit is first in the country in net punting. Injury Look Of Purdue's injured players, Devin Smith might be the most likely to return on Saturday, but that determination might not be made until near kickoff. Smith, who missed the Ohio State game, has been out while recovering from mono. After being in street clothes for Tuesday's practice, Smith had pads on and did some individual offensive line work on Wednesday. Jason King likely will start in Smith's place for the second consecutive game if he's unable to go. After losing seven of its first eight games of the season to opponents that combined for a 51-9 record, the Boilermakers' last four opponents are 16-17 entering this weekend. Coach Darrell Hazell hopes that means more competitive games from his program. "I think we can (compete)," he said of the stretch. Hazell says he'll measure Purdue's progress in a couple of ways: Seeing the Boilermakers' energy level and execution. "We met as a staff on Sunday and we met as a team on Sunday and talked about some of the things we have to overcome," he said. "Those are some things that will help us become a better football program, football team is not creating those adverse situations to ourselves, especially when you're playing a good football team. But we're moving forward and looking forward to playing a good Iowa opponent." — Gold and Black staff Tom Campbell Athletic Director Morgan Burke admitted earlier this week that the football series with Notre Dame will take a break. starting in 2016. In a separate interview with the Journal & Courier, Burke admitted that the series will take a hiatus at points. "We clearly are going to have some changes," Burke told Gold and Black. "I'm not going to delude people into thinking the status quo is going to be there. But I'd rather present the whole picture." Currently, the schools have a signed contract through 2014. Dates have been agreed upon through 2021, but that was before the Big Ten opted to add a ninth conference game and Notre GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 9 • 27