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12 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATE VOLUME 26, ISSUE 3 Kawann Short has put together an outstanding season, one that might get him consideration for NFL postseason awards. He already has a monthly one. On Oct. 29, the Car- olina defensive tackle was named the NFC's Defensive Player-of-the-Month, and he's kept up the pace since. In the first 13 games this season — and the Panthers won them all — Short had a career-high nine sacks. A free agent after next season, he could be in line for a big payday. We caught up with him earlier this season. So why have you been playing so well? "First question off the bat, huh? I'm just paying attention to what I do and my keys in front of me. Just studying the film." It has to feel good to have produced the way you have. "It's just really focusing on what I needed to do and what I need- ed to work on, and that helped me out tremendously." I'm sure you're not a big awards guy, but in Octo- ber you were named the NFC Defensive Player-of-the- Month. Even though you're not playing for awards, is it nice to be recognized in that fashion? "I wish (the award) could be about a team effort, because I can't do it by myself. I have the defensive line, the other guys on the line with me. I'm blessed and appreciate the award, honored to have it, but I wish it could go to the defensive line in general." Why do you think everything is coming together this season? "Just sitting down with (defensive line coach Eric Washington). He slowly went through things with me, as far as what I need to expect, from more of the offensive side, what they're going to do." You're move experienced now in the league, which I'd imagine helps you to know what to look for on film and on Sundays. "It's slowed down a lot and it comes from knowing exactly what you need to do. And when you know that, everything slows down as far as the game and you see things that happen before they happen." Can you remember back to your freshman year at Pur- due in 2008? How much have you changed since then? "Oh man, that guy that showed up in 2008, it was crazy. Know- ing that I came in around 335, out of shape, couldn't even finish the conditioning test, to now, being able to complete the condition- ing test and not breathing too hard because of it, it's a change of mindset, (a change) in the way you approach things. "If I would have known then what I know now, as far as be- ing in better shape and what it takes to be a dominant player, and working toward that and keeping that mindset, it would have been a whole lot different than it was at Purdue. I wouldn't say that I regret (what I did do), but it just taught me work ethic and what it takes to be a domi- nant player, a great player at your position." —As told to Kyle Charters 'Aye' votes by the Board of Trustees (against zero nays), approving the new $65-million football performance facility. Con- struction on the project is expected to begin this spring, with a comple- tion date just before the start of the 2017 training camp. Victories for Coach Sha- ron Versyp in her 10-year tenure at Purdue, follow- ing the Boilermakers' win over Ball State on Dec. 13. She's only four short of tying the program's all-time mark, held by Lin Dunn. Ranking reached by the Boilermakers (as of the Dec. 14 Associated Press poll) following their 11-0 start, their highest national mark since the 2010-11 season. Career touchdown passes by Drew Brees, who moved into fourth- place all-time following a two-TD performance in a win at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13. After passing Dan Marino, Brees trails only Peyton Manning (539), Brett Favre (508) and Tom Brady (423). By The Numbers Boiler Index 10 202 8 421 Photos by Tom Campbell (Keady and Co., Hummel, trophy, Versyp, Johnson); Purdue (Robinson); Saints (Brees); Populous (rending) Carolina Panthers