Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/99573
f o o t b a l l f e a t u r e : r o b e r t m a r v e A Remarkable Run Resolve fuels Purdue quarterback during eventful career BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com Hope told Marve if he could return, he would play. So Marve opted against surgery. He rehabbed, and obert Marve walked out of the locker room, he experienced what he can only call a "blessing." crying. He had no pain in his knee. He'd had the same feeling in his left knee that He didn't have swelling. he'd had twice before, and he figured another He felt like normal. season that had started with such promise was And he looked better than that. over too soon. Again. For the first extended period in his Purdue His father, Eugene, met him, listened and career, Marve not only was able to showcase his gripped him tightly in a hug. ridiculously strong right arm but a maturity in He told his son this was enough, that he'd decision-making and savvy and surprising speed. gone out on his terms, playing well and finally Perhaps two plays defined his season — and showing Purdue fans what they'd been waiting to neither was a throw. see. He said he was proud of him. Late against Iowa, with Purdue having mere That could have been the end of Robert seconds to rally in regulation in a venue it hadn't Marve's story. won in in 20 years, Marve raced 17 yards into Iowa A promising career derailed by injuries, this territory. He finished the run with a dive forward, one finishing him off, a third torn anterior cruciate rewarded with a turf burn on his arm for the efligament in three years when he had his leg bent fort, and got a timeout with 10 seconds to play. awkwardly on the drive that was leading the BoilerHe then completed a 20-yard pass, setting up makers to a potential upset victory in South Bend. freshman Paul Griggs' game-winning field goal. But those who know Robert Marve best Then, in perhaps the most important game knew better. of Marve's career considering what was at stake, "He was determined to figure something Marve completed 20-of-29 passes for career highs out," said mom Julie Marve, who was watchof 348 yards and four touchdowns against Indiing the game on TV from her home in Tampa. ana. But that wasn't what people were talking "When he said to me, 'Mom, I'm doing some about afterward. research.' I said, 'Really? What are we researchWhen his streak of 138 passes without an ing?' 'The quarterbacks who played with torn interception was broken on an odd play in which ACLs before.' He always speaks so highly of the the ball bounced off several players before getting training staff there. They were on a mission. He Tom Campbell picked, Marve didn't just watch Indiana's Greg said, 'I'm not done.'" Robert Marve's stunning return from his third knee injury — without Heban return it for a touchdown. surgery — and his insertion into the starting lineup helped Purdue He wasn't ready for it to be over. He put on the burners and chased him down, He'd entered the season feeling great, primed finish the season strong. about 70 yards, before delivering a tackle that to showcase why so many were ecstatic he'd choknocked Heban out of bounds. Then-coach Danny Hope handed Marve the reins sen Purdue in 2009. "I was having a heart attack," Julie Marve said For the first time since he'd been on campus, his and after losing to Penn State, the team won its final of the play. "But he was just determined. He's always mental game finally was at the point where it matched three games to reach 6-6. The last three games, especially, Marve was masterful. walked on the field with that kind of faith. He's going to his physical talent. Not only did he throw seven touchdowns to only play all the way. He can't just go halfway." And of all the things Eugene has taught him, perIt's that trait perhaps more than any that has imhaps the most important was that giving up was never one interception and complete 64 percent of his pass- pressed his teammates and had them buy into him as es but he also exhibited grit, heart and leadership to an option. the leader of the program. "I knew mentally I was ready for big-time play," Rob- push the program forward, when few thought it was Though they're always quick to say, "We could win ert Marve said. "My talent and maturity and me calming able, to a bowl berth. with Caleb TerBush," it was clear that Marve sparked a "He's done a really great job of managing the ofdown and now I understand the offense all formed toresurgence in the team as a whole. gether and I was ready to play. That was the frustrating fense, putting the ball where it's supposed to be and Tight end Gabe Holmes called Marve a "general" part about it when I went down this time. It made me being a very good leader. Those are the traits you can't who makes sure all the rest of the players in the huddle say I was coming back no matter what because I knew I beat," interim coach Patrick Higgins said. "Robert's al- with him know what to do. ways been a pretty outgoing, charismatic individual but had a lot of good plays in me still." Receiver Antavian Edison called Marve a "playmaknow he's kind of found a way to channel that energy Did he ever. er" who can create at key times. Marve's resolve fueled a remarkable run, not only into being a true, dynamic leader on the field." Running back Akeem Shavers refers to Marve as a For awhile, though, after the injury, it didn't look for him but for Purdue. player with a "warrior spirit who doesn't quit." The Boilermakers were mired in a four-game los- like Marve would get the chance. Even the defensive players are appreciating what But head athletic trainer Doug Boersma told Maring streak and staring at a seemingly impossible task to they've seen. reach bowl eligibility: Win three of the last four, includ- ve he'd dealt with players who'd had a similar injury "When he's on the field, he never settles for less," and played. ing two on the road. senior cornerback Josh Johnson said. "If he feels he R 24 • Gold & Black IllustrateD • volume 23, issue 3 GBIprint.com GoldandBlack.com