Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/411957
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 10 • 32 Hart has played only 39 snaps this season, unofficially, though he did start against Illinois. But after catching a pass on the game's first snap, he essentially got benched because he tried to stretch for extra yards and lost the ball. Hart was ruled down, so it wasn't technically a fumble, but it was close enough for the coach- ing staff to react. Hart didn't play last week against Nebraska, but he's ea- ger for a bigger opportunity this weekend. "I've been gradually learning the playbook and getting better and better at the plays, it's really helped a lot," he said. "It's really good for me now. "I'm very confident. I've worked really hard and know what I'm doing. I can execute the plays. … But you've got to catch the ball first." That was an issue last week against the Cornhuskers, whose DBs were often tightly playing Purdue's receivers. The Boilermak - ers still are struggling to get sepa- ration against man coverage, and when Austin Appleby tried to give receivers a chance to make plays, they simply didn't come up with the catch consistently enough. Dan Monteroso played a season-high 29 snaps against Nebraska but wasn't mentioned as part of the two-deep against Wisconsin. Hazell said Monteroso has a bit of an issue with a knee that had to be monitored in prac- tice this week, but it's possible that Monteroso's inability to catch balls that hit his hands could ac- count for playing time being back to minimal snaps. He'd gotten only three all season before Sat- urday. Still, someone will need to emerge as a threat. Perhaps Yancey is the best option, even though he's failed to follow up a solid freshman sea- son with a good sophomore one. Yancey has only 10 catches in nine games. "Some how, some way, we have to get him to come up for Tom Campbell The Boilermakers had no choice but to turn to a young group of linebackers because of season- ending injuries to seniors, but redshirt freshman Danny Ezechukwu has started to find a comfort level at the weakside spot with back-to-back double-digit tackle games. OFFENSE Quarterback: Austin Appleby Running backs: Akeem Hunt, Raheem Mostert, Keyante Green Fullback: Brandon Cottom Wide receivers: Danny Anthrop, DeAngelo Yancey, Gregory Phillips Wide receivers: Cameron Posey, Dan Monteroso Tight ends: Gabe Holmes, Justin Sinz, Dolapo Macarthy, Jordan Jurasevich Left tackle: David Hedelin Left guard: Jason King Center: Robert Kugler Right guard: Jordan Roos Right tackles: J.J. Prince, Cameron Cermin DEFENSE Defensive ends: Ryan Russell, Evan Panfil Nose guards: Ryan Watson, Ra'Zahn Howard Defensive tackle: Jake Replogle Rush ends: Jalani Phillips, Gelen Robinson Weakside linebackers: Danny Ezechukwu, Dezwan Polk-Campbell Middle linebackers: Ja'Whaun Bentley, Garrett Hudson Strongside linebackers: Jimmy Herman, Andy Garcia Cornerback: Anthony Brown Strong safety: Taylor Richards Free safeties: Frankie Williams, Landon Feichter Cornerbacks: Leroy Clark, Antoine Lewis SPECIAL TEAMS Place-kicker: Paul Griggs Holder: Thomas Meadows Long-snapper: Jesse Schmitt Kickoffs: Griggs Punter: Meadows Kick returners: Mostert, Hunt Punt returners: Williams, Anthrop, Myles Norwood Others: Corey Clements, Jonathan Curry, Robert Gregory, D.J. Knox, Collin Link, Shane Mikesky, John Strauser, David Yancey, Trae Hart PURDUE LINEUPS VS. NEBRASKA