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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 1 • 9 BY TRAVIS BAUGH AND ALAN KARPICK W estern Michigan's secondary served as a bright spot during 2013 season that saw the team fin- ish 1-11. The Broncos allowed a mere 169.2 passing yards per game, the third fewest in the nation, although it should be noted part of that was due to opponents' ability to run the ball successfully. Western Michigan returns all four of last year's starting defensive backs in what's expected to be one of the strengths of the team. Cornerback Donald Celiscar has a team-high 27 career starts un - der his belt and was a second-team All-Mid-American Conference se- lection in 2013. Cornerback Ronald Zamort led the MAC with 18 pass breakups last season, the fifth-most breakups in the country and the second most in a single season in school history. Free safety Justin Currie had 113 tackles last season, the fifth most in the MAC, and was named Western Michigan's Defensive Play- er of the Year in 2012. Strong safety Rontavious Atkins appeared to be ready to break out last season with eight tackles, a tack- le for loss and forced fumble against Iowa before a broken hand sidelined him for the rest of the season. Coach P.J. Fleck noted the group's smarts, communication skills and ability to work within the system. "The sky is the limit for them," Fleck told Mlive.com. "I've seen a lot of NFL talent as a player and a coach. If I'm an NFL head coach, I'm taking them. They have to prove what round they deserve to go in and they'll prove that as they go, but there's no doubt they are draft - able players." BUCKEYE TIES Fleck was a graduate assistant under Purdue coach Darrell Hazell at Ohio State in 2006 when Hazell was the Buckeyes' assistant head coach and wide receivers coach. "I have the upmost respect for Darrell Hazell," Fleck said. "I worked for him, I know what he's like. He's very disciplined, he's very organized and he's very, very, very smart. I have a lot of respect for him and I know he'll have the Boilermakers ready." Purdue linebackers coach Mar - cus Freeman was on the 2006 Ohio State football team with Hazell and Fleck on staff. RETURNING ON OFFENSE The Broncos return their top three receivers from a year ago in Corey Davis, Kendrick Roberts and Timmy Keith. Davis headlines the group after garnering MAC Freshman-of-the- Year and Freshman All-American honors in 2013 with 67 receptions, 941 receiving yards and six touch- dwns. Roberts caught 23 passes for 354 touchdowns and one touch- down, while Keith gained 218 yards on 20 catches. Western Michigan brings back significant experience on its offen- sive line with four of five starters from last season. Center Jon Hoffing is on the Remington Award Watch List after starting all 12 games last season. BIG TEN EXPERIENCE Western Michigan opened its 2013 slate on the road against a Big Ten foe as well, when it lost 26-13 to Michigan State. Bronco starting quarterback Zach Terrell's first col- legiate pass was a 14-yard touch- down strike in the second quarter against the Spartans. The 13-point margin of de- feat was near the 14-point margin Purdue lost to the Spartans by on Oct. 19 when it fell 14-0. Michigan State outgained Western Michigan 297-204 and Purdue 294-226. Western Michigan was unable to keep its game against other Big Ten oppo- nents as close. The Broncos fell to Northwestern 38-17 and were blown out by Iowa 59-3. Iowa defeated Purdue 38-14 in 2013. HISTORICALLY SPEAKING The last two battles between Western Michigan and Purdue have gone down to the wire. On Dec. 27, 2011, in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit, the Boilermakers had to overcome a couple of first-half deficits to defeat the Broncos 37-32. It was a 99-yard kickoff return by freshman Raheem Mostert with 6:48 left in the second quarter that gave the Boilermakers the lead for good. Akeem Shavers also had a big day with 149 yards rushing, his best of his career. The victory gave Coach Danny Hope's team a 7-6 record, the lone winning season of his four-year ten - ure as head coach in West Lafayette. On Sept. 14, 2002, in a very warm Ross-Ade Stadium, the Boil- ermaker had to come from behind again to defeat Western Michigan, this time in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Kyle Orton hit John Standeford on a 30-yard scor- ing pass with 5:26 left to provide Purdue the margin of victory. The Boilermakers were beaten statisti- cally but managed to sneak away with the 28-24 win en route to an- other 7-6 record. The first meeting between the schools was in 1993, a 28-13 win by Purdue. Sophomore Mike Alstott rushed for 100 yards on 12 carries as Purdue built a 28-3 lead before coasting to the finish. It was the Boilermakers' lone win of the 1993 season under Jim Colletto, similar to the rough seasons both schools would experience 20 years later. j What You Need To Know About Western Michigan Tom Campbell Akeem Shavers' 149-yard rushing effort helped Purdue rally to a victory over Western Michigan at the 2011 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. It was the most rushing yards by a single Boilermaker in a bowl game ever. THE LAST TIME...