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4 IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 f they need to do in 2014: Show that the program has a pulse, it can execute and compete at the Big Ten level, be fun to watch on offense and win a few games in the process. You can focus all you want on the skill position players and how fast they run and how well they catch, but if the quarterback doesn't have time to do his thing, it is moot. The prowess of the defensive line will also be a key indicator of wheth- er Purdue can do something it hasn't done well in several years — stop an opposing offense. If you have read it once, you have read it a thousand times, senior defensive end Ryan Rus- sell has to play like an All-Big Ten guy. Classmate Jalani Phillips needs to follow suit, bringing the heat as well from the rush end position. Somehow, someway, the Boilermaker defense has to force the opposition into doing something it doesn't want to do. Pur- due has enough experience on the de- fensive side of the ball, but that doesn't guarantee success in this league. Finally, another key ingredient that the program needs is to have a first-year player emerge. Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley may be a starter from Day 1, and Gelen Robinson could work his way into the rotation, too. But when a program is coming off an 1-11 season, there is playing time to be had. If some young guys could make an impact, it will not only help in '14, but will help in recruiting more young talent for 2015 and beyond. Yes, there are a lot of ifs and buts surrounding this season. Still, there are signs that this program is mov- ing in the right direction, and one important indication comes off the field. The team, as a whole, had its highest GPA in at least a couple of decades this past spring. That means one thing: They are lis- tening to what the coach is saying and that is an indication there's buy-in. A positive culture change combined with enough athletic ability on the field will go along way toward making Purdue football relevant again. j 2014-15 (Vol. 25) Publishing schedule Gold and Black Illustrated Issue Topic Mail Date* Nov./Dec. BB Preview Nov. 1 Jan./Feb. FB wrap/BB Dec. 31 March/April BB/FB recruiting March 1 May/June Spring FB/BB April 30 July/Aug. FB Preview June 30 * Approximate mail date Gold and Black Express begins Aug. 28 and publishes on Thursdays during football season Gold and Black Express will post each Thursday around 6 p.m. ET during football season. It gives the most up-to-date coverage looking ahead to the next game. Also, visit our website GoldandBlackDigital.com to read current and past issues of Express. If you have the old GBIPrint.com address bookmarked, no worries as it still will transfer. An e-mail bulletin will be sent when the magazine is posted for easy, one-click access. Just make sure Gold and Black has an updated e-mail address. We have had more than 2,000 readers download our iPad app. It is available for free in the iTunes store. Call us at 1-800-876-4678 with any questions. Express posts by 6 p.m. ET Mondays during Big Ten basketball season. Dates: Aug. 28 • Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 • Oct. 2, 9, 16, 30 Nov. 6, 20, 27 • Dec. 4*, 11, 27* • Jan. 5* 12, 19, 26 Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 • March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • April 13*, May 23 Schedule subject to change depending on postseason Gold and Black Illustrated A publication of Boilers, Inc. 2605 Yeager Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906 765-237-5002 or 1-800-876-GOPU (4678) Fax: 765-497-2110/Twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom President/Publisher Alan Karpick 765-237-5078 AKarpick@GoldandBlack.com Twitter.com/AlanKarpick Editor Brian Neubert BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com Publications Coordinator Kyle Charters KCharters@GoldandBlack.com Associate Editor/Football Stacy Clardie SClardie@GoldandBlack.com Photography/Cover Photo Tom Campbell Graphic Designer Gary A. 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