Everything came up roses for Michigan State last year while all the other teams in the Big Ten were looking at the Spartans wishing they could be at Lucas Oil Stadium. Meanwhile, for the Purdue Boilermakers, they were in last place in the conference with a record of 1-11. It was a train wreck.
Coach Darrell Hazell was given a six-year contract which is scheduled to last through the 2018 season. Purdue’s woeful record from last year can be turned around, but it won’t be easy. It all starts with the letter ‘D’ – as in defense. Defense wins championships, but the defense was suspect to say the least for the Boilermakers last season. They got derailed 56-0 against Ohio State and that is not how Purdue football is supposed to be played.
Purdue players to watch for include starting running back Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert as both have the ability to be explosive out of the backfield if they can hang on to the ball. Returning quarterback Danny Etling, who took over halfway through last year’s woeful season for Rob Henry, will get a clean slate when the Boilermakers open their 2014 campaign on August 30th against the Western Michigan Broncos at Ross-Ade Stadium.
