Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/411957
GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 10 • 34 when all is said and done," Hazell said. "He's a smart guy, he studies the game and has a real passion for getting better each week. Ob- viously he's making some fresh- man mistakes along with some of those good plays, but I really like where he is. He's a 6-2, 255-pound guy who is physical." Combine that with Ezechuk- wu, also a physical specimen, and there are reasons for optimism for Purdue's corps, a unit that has been the most scrutinized of any in recent years. "When you look on the field and a lot of coaches, you'll see two freshmen and a sophomore, you get a little nervous," linebackers coach Marcus Freeman said, also referencing Jimmy Herman. "But at the same time, sometimes you look to the future and say, 'Man, these guys are just babies. They're going to get better, more mature, stronger, faster,' so you get excited. "But as a coach you try to stay in the now and say, 'How can I make these guys the best line - backers they can be and give us the best chance to be successful on defense right now?' " INJURIES MOUNTING Anthrop isn't the only injury that's concerning for Purdue. Starting safety Frankie Wil- liams is questionable for Saturday with concussion symptoms, and Howard, the starting nose tackle, has been in a boot this week and missed practices Tuesday and Wednesday with a foot sprain. Other starters who likely will play but are nursing injuries: Tay- lor Richards (foot), Jalani Phillips (thigh), Ja'Whaun Bentley (broken hand) and Ryan Russell (ankle). Howard's injury meant Evan Panfil, who has been Russell's backup at end, was moved inside some to play 3-technique during Wednesday's practice. And that was after Panfil was cleared to go — he injured his left pinkie toe Tuesday but the X-ray was negative. Leading rusher Akeem Hunt wore a red, non-contact jersey in practice this week after getting pummeled against Nebraska — Hazell called him a "welt" — but still will play against Wisconsin. Right tackle Cameron Cermin, who rotates with J.J. Prince, also didn't practice Tuesday and was limited Wednesday. But Hazell still proclaimed him "fine" after Wednesday's practice. RECORD-BREAKER Raheem Mostert set Purdue's school record in kickoff return THE NOT-SO-GREAT EIGHT Purdue will be looking for its first win in the series with the Bad- gers Saturday since 2003. During Wisconsin's recent dominance, only one game has been close, and that was the Badgers' 20-17 victory in 2004 in Ross-Ade Stadium. Since the 2004 game, when the Boiler- makers couldn't hang on to a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and fell victim to a 40-yard scoop-and-score with 2:36 left in the game, the Badgers' average victory margin has been 27.1 points. Here's how it has broken down statistically since 2004: Purdue Wisc. Rushing Yards 88.3 255.8 Passing Yards 159.9 181.3 Total Offense 248.2 437.1 Turnovers 20 11 Note: In the last three seasons, the Badgers have really dominated on the ground with 364-, 467- and 388-yard performances in the victories that have had an average mar- gin of 33.3 points. Tom Campbell Sean Robinson made his lone career start as a Boilermaker quarterback in the 2010 game vs. Wisconsin in Ross-Ade. He threw for 141 yards and a touchdown, but also had three picks.