couple plays, you look at youth,
you look at all of those things,
but you have to grow up. You do.
That's all part of being a winning
football team."
Perhaps that next step will
happen soon.
The Boilermakers feel good
about the matchup against
Minnesota (5-1) on Saturday in
Minneapolis — despite being a
double-digit underdog and on
the road.
One reason for optimism is
the offense's sudden production
boost. Since sophomore Austin
Appleby became the starting
quarterback, Purdue has scored
69 points in two games. That's
the most over a similar span in
the Darrell Hazell Era. In fact, it's
the first time the Boilermakers
have scored more than 30 points
in consecutive conference
games since 2009, Danny Hope's
first season as head coach. But
what hasn't the offense done
enough?
Finish, of course.
"We've always been so close,"
Appleby said. "You've seen the
flashes all year. We're starting
to turn a corner and be more
consistent. We're competitive in
every game now. Now, it's hav
-
ing that mental endurance and
being like those championship
teams that just find a way to win.
We have to find a way to win.
"When we have a chance to
make the big plays to put a team
away or take the lead, we've got
to take advantage of those. As
we continue to develop that kill-
er instinct, that'll pay huge divi-
dends for us. I would say we're
a dangerous offense, and as
we move forward to becoming
a championship
team we're going
to have to have
that killer instinct
to smell blood and
get the kill, so to
speak."
Once the de-
fense catches
up — and Hazell
thinks it will —
then Purdue could
finally get one of
those victories it
shouldn't.
Maybe as soon
as Saturday.
"It'll definitely
happen for us,"
Hazell said, "and
it won't be a sur
-
prise to us, at least
to the guys in our
locker room."
j
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 7 • 2
Coming this fall to a computer
or mobile device near you!
Special guest former Purdue football player
and current administrator Calvin Williams.
Gold and Black LIVE
featuring the staff of GoldandBlack.com
Interactive live video-stream sports talk show — ask questions,
chat with other fans! Show will stream live on WLFI.com on selected Fridays during football
and basketball season. For complete schedule, visit the college page on WLFI.com.
2PM FRIDAY!
Trent Johnson, Agent
Gone and Forgotten
Need data to tell you that Purdue's football fortunes have improved in a year? Well, here is how Purdue
has fared in the following statistical categories in seven games in 2014 compared to all of last season.
Points
2014 188
2013 179
Rushing Yards
2014 1,149
2013 805
Sacks
2014 16
2013 14
Points off Turnovers
2014 56
2013 31
