Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/506631
GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 5 10 Remember When … April 2005: Brandon Kirsch (pictured) not only took the reins as starting quarterback for Coach Joe Tiller, but the Boilermakers implemented a read-option offense under the ninth-year coach. Purdue was among the first teams in the league to install the option used by many today. Gold and Black Illustrated A publication of Boilers, Inc. 2605 Yeager Road, West Lafayette, IN 47906 765-237-5002 or 1-800-876-GOPU (4678) Fax: 765-497-2110/Twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom President/Publisher Alan Karpick 765-237-5078 Editor Brian Neubert Publications Coordinator Kyle Charters Associate Editor/Football Stacy Clardie Photography/Cover Photo Tom Campbell Graphic Designer Gary A. Hoffman Advertising Sales Travis Baugh, Jessica Bernard, Alan Karpick Contributor Travis Baugh Subscriptions/Production Travis Baugh, Jessica Bernard, Nick Hoffman, Reid Karpick, Tyler Ochs, Evan Solgere Printer J.B. Kenehan Printing (Beaver Dam, Wis.) Spring Risers 5 Leroy Clark: Purdue needed some stability at safety this spring, and it came from an unex- pected source. After two years playing cornerback, Clark returned to his high school roots — and what he says is his more natural position — and was a solid cover guy. 4 Michael Rouse: A renewed sense of self and realization of potential coupled with a willing- ness to build trust with coaches and "buy in," Rouse emerged this spring as a legitimate DT option in the fall for significant backup snaps. He's big, powerful and, when focused, has an ability to push the pocket. 3 Bilal Marshall: Two years removed from QB, Marshall is feeling like a receiver, better understanding body control, technique and route-running. Marshall worked some with the first- and second-team offense and was able to display how his length, size and good hands can win plays down the field and over DBs. 2 Martesse Patterson: Unprompted, Darrell Hazell brought up Patterson at nearly every opportunity, spouting the redshirt freshman's potential. The combination of being 340 pounds but having quick feet helped Patterson move from off the depth chart — he was academically ineligible as a rookie — to the first-team offense at right guard by the end of spring. 1 D.J. Knox: While working with the scout team offense last season, Knox still stuck out as a fighter, a run-finisher full of confidence. When given an opportunity to seize a starting running back job this spring as only a sophomore, there was little doubt Knox could transfer that scrappiness and swagger to the No. 1 backfield. — Stacy Clardie T O P Action photos by Tom Campbell