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GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 27 • 7 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com F ive plays. That's all it took for the story of Purdue's spring game to be revealed Saturday. After the Black team had gained 16 yards on its first four plays, Austin Appleby dropped back on play No. 5 and was mauled. Defensive tackle Mi- chael Rouse III had broken free from the offensive line and lev- eled Appleby as he was throw- ing. Nose tackle Ra'Zahn Howard was there to fall on the fumble, giving the Gold team possession in great field position. But then Danny Etling's of- fense was stifled, failing to get a touchdown despite a first-and- goal from the 4-yard line situation. The Gold team's offensive line simply couldn't get enough push to press into the end zone. Its line simply couldn't give its QB enough time to find re- ceivers more than a screen or swing pass away. Its left tackle merely was a turnstile for senior defensive end Ryan Russell. It was clear early that this glorified scrimmage was going to be a struggle for the offense. And, ultimately, it was. The Gold team got a fourth- quarter touchdown and an in- terception to steal a 12-7 victory. Quarterbacks were sacked seven times, including when they were only tapped in non-live situations, and the defenses ac- counted for 10 tackles for loss. It forced three turnovers, two inter- ceptions and a fumble recovery. Russell had what would have been a ca- reer day for a "real" game — 11 tack- les, including 3.5 sacks. He didn't have 3.5 sacks all of last season. "The Gold de- fenses had some good three-and- outs. They weren't out there too long. They did a good job helping to limit our offense," Russell said, referencing the Gold team limit- ing the Black to only one drive of more than 32 yards. "On the Black team, we were run- ning to the ball, just getting lined up and playing hard. We never really faltered. Sometimes they would have longer drives, but we got some stops, so I think it was definitely a positive for both defenses go- ing ahead into the season." But only highlighted a glar- ing weakness for Purdue's of- fense. Entering the spring, the Boil- ermakers were charged with fill- ing both of its offensive tackle spots, vacated by starters Kevin Pamphile and Justin Kitchens. They have a pair of junior col- lege transfers on the way but still were hoping someone who emerge in the spring as a legiti- mate candidate, especially con- sidering JUCO David Hedelin could be facing a multiple-game NCAA suspension. The good news: J.J. Prince seemed to respond to the chal- lenge, being called the biggest surprise over the spring by head coach Darrell Hazell. But Prince is a right tackle. No one sufficiently stepped into the left tackle role. Senior Jack DeBoef, play- ing for the Black team Saturday, struggled throughout spring ball and has a long way to go be- fore becoming the answer. Jason Tretter, who may be better-suited for guard than tackle, was forced to play on the left side in the spring game be- cause the Gold team drafted two right tackles. He hadn't played on the left side all spring. f o ot ba l l s p r i n g ga m e Defense Dominates Day Offensive tackles struggles to keep up Tom Campbell It didn't take long for the story of the day to be revealed Saturday: The quarterbacks couldn't escape pressure. Austin Appleby's first series for the Black team ended with a sack fumble and, later, he got rocked by Jalani Phillips that led to an acrobatic interception by Antoine Miles.