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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 24 • 21 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com D arrell Hazell would admit that Danny Etling is the "frontrun- ner" to be Purdue's starting quar- terback in 2014. But after a 1-11 season — and Etling didn't guide the Boilermak- ers to that single victory — there really aren't any safe spots in spring ball. "We are giving Austin (Apple- by) a chance to compete for the job as well as David (Blough)," Hazell said after the first day of spring ball last week. Etling got the bulk of snaps with the first-team offense on Day 1, but it was Appleby who got them on the second day. The team will practice three more times this week before breaking for spring break. That rotation could continue, allowing Appleby a chance to make a move. Or stay as the backup. Offensive coordinator John Shoop said, "I don't know if any - body is clearly anything with where we are. There's going to be compe- tition at every spot." He's looking for "production" to separate the starting QB. And both players — it'll likely be tough for Blough to make a push this spring as he learns the offense — feel like they've made strides in the offseason. Appleby raved about being in the best shape of his life, standing in at a solid 240 pounds with the lowest percent body fat he's ever been and coming off an offseason in which he nearly overtook the school's quarterback record for squat. (After he "killed" 435 pounds, 30 pounds from the record, Duane Carlisle wouldn't let him lift again.) But it's not just his body that Appleby feels good about. He's more comfortable in the offense, too, and he's confident about what he can do, if given the chance. "The No. 1 goal is to be the start - ing quarterback this team when we play our first game on Aug. 30," he said. "Everything else is a precursor to that; be the most efficient quar- terback, the most accurate quarter- back, take care of the ball the best, get us in and out of the right plays the best and be good when it mat- ters, on third down be able to step up and deliver time and time again and put our team in the best posi- tion to win. When I'm that guy, I'll get the ball." Etling will do his best to stave off that challenge, and he's already shown more poise in the pocket ear- ly in spring than he did all last season, Shoop said. That's when he played with "ants in his pants," but now in the second year of the offense, Etling is gaining confidence as well. F O Ot ba l l : n e w s a n d n ot e s PRESENTS Autumn Beachy—Waterloo, Ind. Junior, Biology Autumn was one of 39 Purdue student-athletes honored as Distin- guished Scholar Award recipients by the Big Ten in July. In all, four members of the 2013 women's track and field team were named to the list. Tom Campbell Danny Etling (left) is the "frontrunner" for Purdue's starting quarterback spot, but Darrell Hazell said he expects Austin Appleby (right) to challenge during spring ball. No Clear No. 1s