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PRESENTS FOOtball: news and notes DID YOU KNOW? The 11 FBS teams that Purdue has on its schedule have a combined record of 59-23 (.719) this season. Knauf Remorseful, Ready For Return BY GOLD AND BLACK STAFF B.J. Knauf thought he'd likely have to transfer, and even had started scouting out schools after being arrested in September. So when the redshirt freshman wide receiver suits up for the Boilermakers Saturday, following a two-game suspension, he's more than grateful to be getting the opportunity. "I figuring out ways to tell my family that I wasn't going to be here," Knauf said. "But I think when I step back on the field — it's humbling — I'll be a lot more thankful that I have this chance every week and every year to play football." Knauf is returning after a late September arrest on suspicion of theft, when he and fellow receiver Jordan Woods were allegedly caught trying to steal $20 tie clips at Kohl's at the Tippecanoe Mall. A couple days later, Coach Darrell Hazell handed down a two-game suspension to Knauf and an indefinite one to Woods, the severity of the latter due to the "totality of everything that happened." During his two-game suspension, Knauf spent time in "The Pit," an area where injured Boilermakers do what they can — and it frequently doesn't look fun — to stay in good condition for their returns. And he ran with the scout team, down there with teammates who usually don't see action on Saturdays. He's had time to think about his mistakes, as well. "I've just been trying to regain my composure and get my priorities straight," said Knauf, a Florida native. "I lost sight of a lot of things that were on my mind coming up to college in my first year here. They kind of faded. The worst got to me and I stepped out of line, so right now I'm trying to get back close with God, close with the team, my family and friends." Knauf appears to show genuine remorse for his actions, saying he's grateful to Hazell and AD my doing. I have to live with that and deal with that. "I brought this on all on my own. I deserved it. I didn't think I deserved to be on this team any more, so just being on the side- line, I was extremely grateful." Hazell says Knauf's done well in getting back in good graces with the team. "I think he certainly has shown some remorse for his ac- Tom Campbell B.J. Knauf, one of Purdue's better playmakers during the first five games of the season, hopes to resume the role now that his suspension is over. Morgan Burke for giving him another chance. And he says this will be his only slipup. "No one else had anything to do with it," Knauf said of the incident. "No one told me to do it. It was completely my choice and Shane Mikesky—Zionsville, Ind. Sophomore, Movement and Sports Science Shane was one of 39 Purdue student-athletes honored as Distinguished Scholar Award recipients by the Big Ten in July. In all, four members of the 2013 football team were named to the list. GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 8 • 27