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Gold and Black Illustrated Vol28, Digital1

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GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 28, ISSUE 1 39 ball family sooner than later. But Til- ler's illness wasn't the focus of the weekend. "We laughed the entire time," said Chris Clopton, a starting cor- nerback on the Rose Bowl team who now works in the John Purdue Club. "The stories were flowing, and you could see Coach's spirits rise from the moment we arrived." Clopton reminded Tiller about something the Coach always said to his players. "When I first arrived, I joked with Coach that he always told us we need to beat that little voice in your mind that says you can't do it," said Clopton, offering encouragement. "He had a little chuckle with that. "What was really impressive when all the guys got together is you can tell Coach fed off the energy and he was very upbeat. He always told us that to be successful, you have to beat the little man." It was a weekend when many things came full circle. For receiver Seth Morales, who hadn't been around Tiller much since he graduated in 2002, it was a time to reconnect. Morales, who will be forev- er remembered for his 64-yard touch- down reception from Drew Brees that essentially delivered the Boilermak- ers to the 2001 Rose Bowl in his ju- nior year, didn't end his Boilermaker career the way he wanted the follow- ing season. Though he started all 12 games in 2001, his role diminished, something that has bothered Morales since. "I felt like I left some stuff behind in my senior year," said Morales, now a successful businessman in Indianapolis. "It was kind of cool to finally wrap things up and be at peace, and he allowed me to do that. You would never have gotten that from him as a player, but it is great to have it now." About 15 former Boilermaker players were there for the weekend, including Brees, Dorsch, Dustin Keller, John Standeford and Dan Bick. Coaches Jim Chaney and Scott Downing were there, too. Illinois State coach Brock Spack, who had visited a couple weeks ear- lier, was credited for having pushed Tiller with a little tough love of his own during his visit, also beating the "Beat the Little Man" drum. "I think Brock's visit was the start of Joe's turnaround mentally," said Pete Quinn, who has remained a close friend of Tiller's but was also making his first visit to Buffalo. Route 66 Diner and Triple XXX Family Restaurants salute Coach Gene Keady who is the first Boilermaker coach to have a food item named after him. Introducing Coach Keady's JamaicaMeCrazy Burger! Indiana's Oldest Drive-In On the Hill, But on the Level Since 1929 Triplexxxfamilyrestaurant.com Tom Schott Jim Chaney, who served as Tiller's offensive coordinator during the most successful part of Tiller's 12-year run at Purdue, picked up right where he left off with his former boss during the visit in early July.

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