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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 7 • 17 BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com A ustin Appleby had done all he could. He had studied film tirelessly, even having the lights shut off on him by the janitors in Mollenkopf late at nights more than once, to learn Purdue's offense. Ultimately, he felt that work helped him grasp the system better than any of the team's quarterbacks. He had worked to get his body in top shape, adding strength to his already- sturdy 6-foot-5 frame to be able to hold up against hits, pushing his limits to get to nearly 240 pounds. He had continued to perfect his craft in terms of actual skill set, working on arm strength, accuracy and footwork. And, still, Appleby wondered if it'd ever be enough. He wondered if he'd ever get a chance to showcase his skills, his in - tangibles as the Boilermakers' starting quarterback. "There were a lot of very, very lonely, emotional days and nights where I felt lost and I didn't know what to do," said third-year sophomore Appleby, who has never public- ly said he considered transferring. Appleby had help overcoming those raw moments. He has a band on his wrist that reminds him to "keep the faith." That's what Appleby said it's always been about for him, and so when he was finally given the opportunity last week against Il- linois, he wasn't surprised he seized it. It was the plan all along, he insists. "You don't know what the Lord's plan is, but you have to trust it whatever it is and my heart told me that I'm good right where I am and keep plugging away," Appleby said. "There's a saying that the Lord's blessings are sometimes delayed but never denied. It was just a matter of staying the course and allowing things to take care of themselves and continuing to be equipped to handle getting my opportunity. To continue to do film study, to continue to be out here prac - ticing and taking those tough reps and mentally prepare." The approach helped produce the best- case result. Not only did Purdue get its first Big Ten win in two seasons against Illinois, but Ap- pleby was nearly flawless in his debut. He completed 15-of-20 passes. Two of those were dropped and another was a throwaway. He passed for 202 yards, including one that went for an 80-yard touchdown. He rushed for 76 yards and two goal-line touchdowns. He had Purdue's longest run, a 62-yarder that broke open when Illinois had only five players in the box, allowing center Robert Kugler to easily knock the linebacker out of the play. He caught a pass after he snatched a ball that was tipped at the line and ran for seven yards. And, yet, none of that is what was most impressive about Appleby on that day, on any day, really. "I love his confidence and his swagger," senior running back Akeem Hunt said. "He just has a competitive edge to win. I love that about him. He gets everybody else around him hyped up." Keeping The Faith Appleby overcomes, seizes first opportunity Tom Campbell The wait wasn't always easy for Austin Appleby — he admits to having some "lonely" days and nights. But the sophomore said his trust in God's plan helped him keep preparing and keep believing he would seize his chance to start if it came. F O O T B A L L F E A T U R E : A U S T I N A P P L E B Y