The Wolverine Now

OCT. 3, 2012 STATEMENT GAME C oming off a 7-6 season in 2011, and just 16-21 in Danny Hope's first three campaigns, Purdue wasn't considered much of a threat to Wisconsin to represent the Leaders Division in the Big Ten champion- ship game, but with the Badgers slumping to a 3-2 record over the first five weeks and the Boilermakers 3-1, the Gold and Black are quickly becoming a popular pick among the pundits. Still, the fans aren't entirely convinced, packing Ross-Ade Stadium to only 72.8 percent capacity in last week's 51-41 vic- tory over Marshall. "Some of the fans are believing it to be possible, but there is still a wait-and-see attitude about this team," GoldandBlack. com publisher Alan Karpick said. "Pur- due didn't compete at all against Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin last season, but there is a glimmer of hope now because they were very competitive at Notre Dame. "They probably need to win this weekend to completely turn hearts and minds." While the fans may be lukewarm on jumping on the bandwagon, the media and those observers outside of West Lafayette, Ind., see an emerging defense that ranks 43rd nationally in yards allowed per game (354.5) and 39th in scoring (20.8 points surrendered per game), and an offense that has found balance in a ground game aver- aging 201.5 yards rushing per outing and a GAME FACTS Purdue Is Looking To Prove It Is A Big Ten Title Contender BY MICHAEL SPATH "Offensively, we're manufacturing some points. We're doing very well on third downs, in the red zone, with our rushing of- fense. Our quarterback is now getting back in sync. The better he plays and performs, and with the guys around him, we have a chance to be explosive offensively. "We have to get better as a team, but I think from a personnel standpoint, and execution, we're certainly ready for Big Ten play." In 2011, the Boilermakers lost 38-10 to Notre Dame, 36-14 to Michigan and 62-17 to Wisconsin, but they battled to a 20-17 loss in South Bend this season, and walked away from that loss encouraged. "The Notre Dame game was a step in the broadcast the game live. The game can be heard on the Michigan Sports Network (950 AM in the De- troit area, SiriusXM channel 201) with longtime partners Frank Beck- mann and Jim Brandstatter, and sideline reporter Doug Karsch. Coaches: Michigan: Brady Hoke What: Michigan at Purdue. When: Oct. 6 • 4 p.m. Radio-TV: Big Ten Network will (13-4, second season). Purdue: Danny Hope (19-22, fourth season). History: Michigan leads the se- Fifth-year senior quarterback Caleb TerBush has thrown for 452 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions in Purdue's last two games. PHOTO COURTESY PURDUE pass attack accounting for 262.0 yards per contest. "We're a good team," said Hope, seem- ingly trying to convince the local jour- nalists. "We have a very strong defensive front that could be great. Our secondary is talented and experienced; we have a very good defensive team that could be a great defensive team. right direction because Purdue did compete, and they've now seen how Michigan and Michigan State stacked up against Notre Dame, and it's very favorable," Karpick said. Perhaps the best news for the Boilermak- ers has been the recent emergence of fifth- year senior quarterback Caleb TerBush. Benched after completing only 6 of 15 at- tempts (40.0 percent) against Notre Dame, he returned on Purdue's final drive when sixth-year senior Robert Marve suffered an injury, and led the Gold and Black to a game-tying touchdown. In the two games since, he has completed 43 of 61 attempts (70.5 percent) for 452 yards with six touchdowns and two inter- ries with Purdue, 43-14, last beat- ing the Boilermakers 36-14 in 2011. Purdue Notes: Michigan and Pur- due are meeting in each team's Big Ten opener for the first time since the 1970 campaign … Purdue has a winning record after its first four games for the first time since go- ing 5-0 in 2007 … With 54 points against Eastern Michigan and 51 against Marshall, the Boilermakers have scored 50 points in back-to- back games for only the sixth time in school history … The Gold and Black are 12-1 the past four sea- sons when rushing for 200 yards or more.

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