Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/375862
GoldanDBlack express • volume 25, express 2 • 17 BY KYLE CHARTERS KCharters@GoldandBlack.com O ver the last couple weeks, Ja'Whaun Bentley has experienced the highest of highs and the low- est of lows, although based on the freshman's even- keel demeanor it might be hard to distinguish. Bentley peaked Saturday, when he started Purdue's season-opening win against Western Michigan, becoming the first freshman starter at linebacker in Week 1 for Purdue since Gilbert Gard- ner in 2000. But a few days later, he was back in his hometown of Glenarden, Md., near Washington, D.C., attending the funeral services of best friend Marquese Meadow. A freshman defensive tackle at Morgan State University, Meadow had died Aug. 24 following complications from heat stroke after being hospitalized two weeks earlier when he became disoriented during a workout. "I had to chance to spend some time with my family and get my mind right," said Bentley, who was back at practice Wednesday after Tues - d a y ' s funeral. "I definitely feel like I'm in the right place now and can just go out here and play football. "Everybody has a background, everybody has a struggle they go through. They have something that keeps them going back at it every day. And I just try to find what it is that I have that keeps me motivated to come out here and do my best." Bentley's best is pretty good. Although he turned just 18 years old on Aug. 24 — coincidently the same day as Meadow's death — Bentley ap- pears physically much more mature. He's a solidly build 6-foot-2, 250 pounds. "He's got natural ability, size, strength," defensive coordinator Greg Hudson said. "He's a prototype." Not only is Bentley physically mature, Hudson says, but he has the mental maturity of an upper- classman. Bentley's quiet, business-like approach to practices, film study and Saturday's game got the at- tention of his teammates. "He's a very impressive kid, very mature for his age," senior captain Sean Robinson said. "… He's as mature as anyone on the team, and for a freshman his maturity in the playbook and just understanding stuff. He just gets it on the football field. And sure, he makes mistakes, just like everyone else did on Satur- day, but for a freshman he played really well." Bentley had five tackles and a pass breakup in his Game 1 start for the Boilermakers, a win over Western Michigan. As typical for a rookie starter — Purdue's last true freshman defensive starter for the opener at any position was cornerback Ricardo Al- len in 2010 — there were ups and downs. Bentley masterfully played a screen pass in the first half, when he shadowed the running back, dodged by an offensive lineman and batted the ball down. Another half second and he might have had f o o t b a l l f e a t u r e : j a ' w h a u n b e n t l e y Tom Campbell Ja'Whaun Bentley has made a big splash as a true freshman, starting and playing well in his first game as a Boilermaker. Bentley shows maturity that belies his age Early Impact