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2012 PURDUE FOOTBALL PLA YER FEA TURE: ROBER T MAR VE Last Chance Marve handed reins against Penn State SClardie@GoldandBlack.com BY STACY CLARDIE cruciate ligament or graft in his left knee but has no pain. The knee does not swell or need ice af- Robert Marve has no explanation. He is playing without an anterior ter practices and games. He is not reaching for Advil multiple times a day. practice without sitting. And, now, finally, after nearly seven He is able to get consecutive reps in ably wouldn't play football again," Coach Danny Hope said. "So even though he was saying all the right things and we were hop- ing he could, the medical experts were tell- ing us it was very doubtful and that it could happen but most of the time it doesn't. So for us to put all of our eggs in that basket four weeks ago, the sports medicine ex- perts weren't sure if he was going to be able to service our football team." But then Marve returned Oct. 6 against Michigan and played two series. terback against Penn State. "A month ago, we were told he prob- weeks since tearing his knee for the third time, coaches believe Marve is ready. And so he's starting for Purdue at quar- against Wisconsin. Then he didn't play a snap at Ohio He got another two the next week State. Then he got another chance — with Purdue trailing 44-7 at Minnesota last weekend — and led a pair of touchdown drives, finally proving to coaches he de- served another chance as the starter. Marve has publicly been careful about voicing any displeasure about how coach- es have handled his role, only saying that it can be frustrating not knowing when he'd enter a game. But, personally, he's never doubted he could help the team win. "I feel like I'm playing the best football I've played in my college career by far. I don't think it's close, ed the season opener against Eastern Ken- tucky when Caleb TerBush was suspended for the game violating team rules. "Mentally, I feel like I've caught up with " said Marve, who start- myself how I am physically, at least throw- ing-wise. ent on the field than he did pre-injury. He's still moving well, rolling out of the pocket on designed plays and even rac- ing away from defenders to pick up yards Marve certainly doesn't look any differ- " Robert Marve is being brought in late again. Throughout the season, Marve was asked to try to salvage games by rallying Purdue. Now, he's moved into the starting role for a team that needs to win three of its last four games to reach a bowl. when he's forced out of the pocket. His arm has never been an issue. Teammates say they frequently get jammed fingers catching passing from him. Running back Akeem Shavers said he even hates playing catch with Marve in pre- game warm-ups: "I'm like, man, if you hurt my fingers now, I won't be able to catch the ball during the game. " Tom Campbell he's doing it with accuracy, making the tough deep-out throws, as well as quickly getting the ball to receivers on the perime- ter in Purdue's ever-important screen game. His accuracy against Minnesota was But Marve isn't just rifling the ball — one of the reasons Hope said he opted to go with Marve over TerBush this weekend. Officially, Marve completed 11-of-19 GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 23, EXPRESS 9 • 17