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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 24, ISSUE 6 37 f BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com P urdue's defense has six projected senior starters who have suffered through 32 losses the last four seasons. And in the last two years, the Boilermakers have set — and then reset — a dubious record, giving up the most points in school history in 2012, then doing so again in 2013. But now, in 2014, the defense is looking to flip the trend, working to get the Boilermakers headed into the right di- rection. The attitude shift this offseason has been appar- ent to second-year defensive coordinator Greg Hudson. "I think the strength in this defense is that we've finally got enough guys that are tired of getting punched in the nose," he said. "And that we finally have enough guys who really want to play for each other." Why the change? Well, losing hurts, especially in the way the Boilermakers did last season, when they won just one of their 12 games. In 2013, Purdue's defense ranked second-to-last in the Big Ten in scoring (a school-re- cord 456 points allowed in 12 games, a 38 points-per-game average); 10th in yardage (459.9); 10th in rushing de- fense (235.4) and last in the red zone, where it gave up scores on 52-of-56 opportu- nities. The national numbers were equally bad, ranking in the bottom sixth in most relevant categories. The yardage finished 104th (of 123 nationally) and scoring defense was No. 111. But getting socked in the mouth, repeatedly, will tend to garner attention, and linebacker Sean Robinson, one of those defensive seniors, says it has. The Boilermakers have been more attentive this off- season, gathering togeth- er to study film or hit the weight room. They've or- ganized off-the-field out- ings, like one to a north- ern Indiana water park following a particularly steamy late-May workout, to help galvanize camara- derie. And they've been around the coaches' of- fices frequently, more comfortable now with what Hudson and Co. are preaching. "I think more people have bought in," said Rob- inson, Purdue's likely start- er at middle linebacker. "I think when people take more ownership of things, it gives them a sense of pride in what they're doing. It's huge. You get 11 guys out there who care about one another and trust each other and themselves, that's when you can be successful and have a good team. "Obviously, it takes talent and knowing your job, but when you care about what you're doing and take own- ership in it, it helps a ton." Talent is an intriguing F O O T B A L L : D E F E N S I V E P R E V I E W BY THE NUMBERS 4 Stops by Purdue's defense in 56 red zone opportunities last season, as opponents scored 44 touchdowns and eight field goals once they got inside the 20. The red zone percentage of .929 ranked 120th out of 123 teams nationally last season. Three of the four non-scoring drives ended due to Purdue interceptions; the fourth came on a kneel down to end Notre Dame's victory. 6 Projected senior starters, includ- ing Ryan Russell (DE), Jalani Phillips (Jack), Sean Robinson (LB), Joe Gilliam (LB), Landon Feichter (S) and Taylor Richards (S). 456 Points allowed by the Boilermakers in 2013, a school record, surpassing the 406 given up by Purdue the year before. Last season, the Boilers allowed opponents to score 38 points per game. 56.5 Opponents' conversion rate on third down, the second-worst defensive ranking in the country last season. — Kyle Charters Punching Back? Boilermakers hoping to rebound after disastrous 2013 Tom Campbell Purdue's defensive hopes might hinge on whether Ryan Rus- sell and his senior teammates make noise in 2014.