GBI Express

Gold & Black Express, April 8 Edition

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"I still think we have a battle there," Hazell said. "Those two are doing a great job. I still think Austin is battling to get into that fight. But I think we can win with both of those guys right now." There are plenty other positions to be decided on offense. Though it'd seem as though Justin Kitchens and Kevin Pamphile are the No. 1 tackles and Robert Kugler is locked in at center, the guard spots have been rotated frequently by O-line coach Jim Bridge. Devin Smith and Cody Davis were with the 1s to start the scrimmage, but redshirt freshmen Jason King and Jordan Roos got their chances later. Hazell said he thinks the line can be the offense's strength ultimately, but it was a bit shaky Saturday. There were at least five penalties, two of which negated touchdowns. And Purdue's receivers must catch the ball more consistently, though Shoop and receivers coach Kevin Sherman appear to be figuring out the top group there, too. "I think we have to play a little bit faster outside, but they're playing physical right now," Hazell said. "If they can play physical and get off the jam, they're going to be OK." j Tom Campbell Offensive coordinator John Shoop spent Purdue's scrimmage in the press box, relaying play calls down to the field. He kept the offense diverse, showing a variety of formations and personnel groupings. Three times, receivers carried the ball off motion or a reverse. But more than being versatile on offense, above all else, Shoop wants Purdue's quarterback to be accurate and make the right directions. Unofficially, the QBs completed 69 percent of their passes and threw for three touchdowns. Of those incomplete passes, six were dropped balls by Purdue receivers and another was a throwaway. But they also threw two interceptions and had another dropped by Harris. "Coach Shoop will critique us pretty hard, which is what we need," said Rob Henry, who has been the No. 1 QB all spring. "It's been good. We're all kind of adjusting to the new system. It's going to continue to get better. We're getting better each day. We're not taking steps back." In a bit a surprise — at least based on previous open practices — freshman Danny Etling moved to No. 2 on the depth chart behind Henry and ahead of redshirt freshman Austin Appleby. Appleby had been getting the No. 2 reps for the bulk of the first nine practices. GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 28  •  7

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