Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/295452
GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 27 • 2 and acting as a primary pass- catcher — unless it was short- yardage work. The I formation still showed up at points, as did Justin Sinz being joined by Dolapo Ma- carthy in multiple-tight end sets. But it's clear a change has been made, one that showed signs when Etling took the starting job from Rob Henry near the middle of last season. "I think we're probably a little bit better football team when we spread people out right now," Ha- zell said. "That's just the consen- sus we've made as a staff. We'll be tightened down at certain points in time, but I think we need to spread the field and (that) gives numbers matchups on the inside running the football. We'll still run the ball, but (we need to) be able to spread people out and create bigger seams." The first-team defense stuck mostly with its three-man front and a Jack, a player who can put a hand down as an end or stand up as a linebacker and rush. Though that unit didn't cre- ate many turnovers in daily practices, it did turn it up during scrimmage work, showing some ability to get to some pressure against a shaky offensive line. For a group that allowed more yards than any other de- fense in Purdue history last sea- son, any steps are big ones. "There's always room for im- provement, but I'm very proud of the defense," starting safety Land- on Feichter said. "At least second- ary-wise, one thing we always try to do, we talk about before prac- tices, is put something on film that you're proud of. I think we've done that as a defense as a whole so far this spring. I'm very anxious to see if that carries over into the season. I think it will." j Weekly Pic Gerry Robinos Ryan Russell (99) and Keith Byars II (4), and Akeem Hunt (1) were among a handful of football players that jumped on the stage for warmups for the seventh-annual Purdue Challenge 5K Run/ Walk. On the morning of the spring game, the entire football team was on hand to cheer on the 1,700 participants. Coach Darrell Hazell served as the honorary chair of the event that raised $65,000 for the Purdue Center for Cancer Research. "Official to Purdue this weekend! Can't wait to get up to West Lafayette!" Purdue commitment P.J. Thompson (@pj_thompson11) on Thursday, a day before coming to West Lafayette. CERAMIC • ENGINEERED HARDWOOD LAMINATES • MARBLE CARPETING Specializing in • Homes • Businesses • Churches • Schools Where Contractors Buy Their Flooring Builders! Call our Contract Department and ask for our Contract Specialist 3437 State Road 26 E. 765-447-9393 800-403-6889 FAX 765-448-9978 Across from the Post Office GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS GO BOILERMAKERS T W E E T O F T H E W E E K