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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 19 f great arm. He knows the system. The kid's a genius and a freak in the film room. He's probably one of the hard- est workers I've ever seen in the game." Appleby, a third-year sophomore, also is coming off a solid spring in which he showed a good grasp of the offense, better accuracy than Etling and nice touch on deep balls. But he's short on game experience. Appleby's only action was one series against Iowa last season in the final minutes. He completed 5-of-6 passes for 68 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown to Danny Anthrop. Even though Appleby didn't play much, he doesn't lack confidence in his abilities or whether he's ready to play now. "At some point, my opportunity is going to come and when it comes, I'm going to make the most of it," Ap- pleby said. "All I'm going to do is what I've done ever since I stepped foot on this campus, which is be the hardest-working quarterback in the country. I'm go- RECEIVERS COACH KEVIN SHERMAN K evin Sherman has been known to follow. If a Purdue receiver runs an incorrect route during team drills in practice, Sherman is quick to pounce. His voice car- ries, letting everyone know a mistake was made, and as soon as the receiver makes his way back to the sideline, Sherman is on him, sometimes even walking side by side while animatedly offering instructions. Most of the time, he's preaching the little things, de- tails of routes, how soon players should break, picking apart technique. And, most of the time, his players appreciate it. "At certain times during the game and in practice, I can't stand him. It's a love-hate relationship you need with a coach," B.J. Knauf said. "I don't want a coach that I can have my way with and get away with certain things. He points out every detail, every flaw, every- thing that has to be done to get to where we need to be. "We all greatly appreciate it. If you can't handle it, you're in the wrong sport. He's one of the best coaches I've met. I'm extremely happy to have him because he's made me a better person and a much better athlete and a much better football player." Sherman's been pushing so hard because he sees potential in a young corps, one that has no seniors but is loaded with a mix of unique skill sets. He expects them to not just learn the position but understand the whys of it. To that end, Sherman, 45, had a project for his group in the spring, assigning each receiver a con- cept and requiring them to express how it works. Cam- eron Posey's was the most creative: He glued plastic army guys onto a big posterboard and drew concepts on it. But it got the point: Knowledge breeds success. "I want them to research. (We need to) get these guys not just learn the position. They need to be a complete receiver, learn the history of the game, watch great players and the concepts we're trying to teach," Sherman said. "Once you do that, you learn the game and you see it, it'll slow down for you." — Stacy Clardie 765.447.4165 | www.lafayetteortho.com The Area's Premier Orthopaedic and Sportsmedicine Center Robert J. Hagen, M.D. Daniel J. Daluga, M.D. John T. Bauman, M.D. Peter J. Torok, M.D. Michael E. Highhouse, M.D. Mark C. Page, M.D. Michael D. Krauss, M.D. My Community. My Choice. GB_2014_LOC.indd 1 6/17/14 4:03 PM