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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 25 f game, and also is able to block on some of Purdue's perimeter runs. Shoop called Macarthy the best crack (back) blocker on the team. "I think all three of us are certainly capable," Sinz said. "We're trusting the coaches to get us out there as much as possible because I think they know and under- stand we can be some of the best players on our team." OFFENSIVE LINE There are questions up front entering the fall, name- ly who will fill the critical role at left tackle. But this group did supply the team's offensive MVP from 2013. And Kugler is back at center, using his ex- tensive football IQ, moxie and competi- tiveness to anchor the line. He'll need help, though, for Purdue to avoid a repeat performance of allowing a Big Ten-worst sacks (38) and having a conference-low rushing yards (805). Emerging left guard Jason King is a good place to start. King used his red- shirting first season to simply learn how to play the position after his high school team didn't "play real football," Kugler said. (King's Arkansas team never punt- ed.) When King finally got his chance last season by replacing then-ill starter Devin Smith in Game 8, he seized the opportu- nity, and he appears to be secure at that spot for the fall. "He was able to take off once he under- stood the game," Kugler said. "He took such great strides in that he's one of our better students right now, which is night and day from when he first got here. He's a great athlete and a great player, now that he's got that, he can just take off with OFFENSIVE LINE COACH JIM BRIDGE T here are no "guards" or "tack- les" in Jim Bridge's meeting room. He wants his players to see them- selves as "offensive linemen," guys with the ability to play multiple posi- tions and showcase versatility. Bridge, 44, enjoys the challenge of molding such men, and he works intently at instructing them in practice so they get his directives down. A former tight end, Bridge isn't slow to bend down into a stance during practice and demonstrate. He'll slide, kick-out, grab a guy by the interior pads and shove, arms extended with the just-right posture. Bridge has been all-in working to transform the Boil- ermakers' line into what he think can be a rowdy, nasty, physical group. Sometimes that includes constant yapping of point- ers and directions. Others, it's one-liners that make it tough for players and observers to not crack a smile. All of it is to do one thing. "He wants you to do better," freshman center Kirk Barron said. "When you hear yelling, you can't just lis- ten to the tone of voice, you have to listen to what he's saying. He runs everywhere. He's pushing guys to do better." Bridge also encourages players to embrace the game, soliciting opinions, especially on game days, of what they're seeing. "He's got a lot of give-and-take," center Robert Kugler said. "That's good. You don't want a lot of dictators. It's better when ev- erybody is working for a common goal." — Stacy Clardie Tom Campbell Robert Kugler, the team's offensive MVP last season, returns to anchor the offensive line. He's a leader, both in work ethic and in willingness to mentor teammates, and a captain candidate. OFFENSIVE LINE Fifth-year senior 54 Jack DeBoef* 6-7 286 Juniors 57 Robert Kugler* 6-3 288 71 Corey Clements 6-8 390 75 David Hedelin 6-5 295 Sophomores 66 Cameron Cermin 6-5 300 70 Jordan Roos* 6-4 315 72 Jason King 6-3 300 73 J.J. Prince* 6-6 295 77 Joey Warburg 6-5 286 Redshirt freshmen 65 Charlie Long 6-1 269 76 Jason Tretter 6-6 300 Freshmen 53 Kirk Barron 6-3 295 51 Bearooz Yacoobi 6-5 280 74 Martesse Patterson 6-3 310 * Projected starters