Purdue

Purdue University Boilermakers

Purdue University joined the Big Ten Conference in 1896. The Purdue Boilermakers have won eight conference championships, most recently in 2000 and have a winning overall record of 558-473-48. The program is known for producing great quarterbacks like Bob Griese, Len Dawson and Drew Brees.

The Indiana Hoosiers are Purdue's main rival. The two teams compete each year for the “Old Oaken Bucket.” In addition, Purdue faces off with Notre Dame for the “Shillelagh Trophy” and Illinois for the “Purdue Cannon Trophy.” The team plays its home games at Ross-Ade Stadium. The mascot for Purdue is the Boilermaker Special and the fight song, Hail Purdue is one of the most popular throughout the Big- Ten. The Boilermakers wear Old Gold and Black.

Purdue Boilermakers 2007 Outlook

The Purdue Boilermakers have an experienced productive offense returning this season. Led by quarterback Curtis Painter and wide receiver Dorien Bryant, the Boilermakers should light up the scoreboard in 2007. Bryant is one of the best receivers in all of college football. Look for Purdue to lean on him as much as possible. In 2006, the offense was ranked 46th nationally and averaged 26.0 points- per game.

The defense must put more pressure on the quarterback and create more turnovers. Look for senior middle linebacker Dan Bick to step up with another strong year. In 2006, Bick had 95 tackles. Everyone is looking for senior Cliff Avril to step in for the NFL bound Anthony Spencer. Purdue has a soft non-conference schedule that includes lightweights Eastern Illinois and Central Michigan. The Boilermakers have enough offense to win at least seven games this season but don’t expect them to contend for the conference crown.

2007 Purdue Schedule

Date OPPONENT TIME (ET) Location Result
Sat, Sep 1st, 2007 at Toledo 07:00 PM Glass Bowl  
Sat, Sep 8th, 2007 Eastern_Ill 12:00 PM Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Sep 15th, 2007 Central_Mich 12:00 PM Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Sep 22nd, 2007 at Minnesota 09:00 PM Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome  
Sat, Sep 29th, 2007 Notre_Dame TBA Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Oct 6th, 2007 Ohio_State 08:00 PM Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Oct 13th, 2007 at Michigan 12:00 PM Michigan Stadium  
Sat, Oct 20th, 2007 Iowa TBA Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Oct 27th, 2007 Northwestern 12:00 PM Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Nov 3rd, 2007 at Penn_State TBA Beaver Stadium  
Sat, Nov 10th, 2007 Michigan_State TBA Ross-Ade Stadium  
Sat, Nov 17th, 2007 at Indiana TBA Memorial Stadium   

Purdue Boilermakers Head Coach Profile

Joe Tiller has brought great success to the Purdue program since taking over in 1997. Prior to his arrival, the Boilermakers had only appeared in five bowl games. Under Tiller, the team has made nine bowl games in his ten seasons, including a Big Ten championship and trip to the Rose Bowl in 2000.

Tiller began his head coaching career at the University of Wyoming in 1991. He is known for his wide open spread offense that excelled during quarterback Drew Brees time at Purdue. He has set the bar high with his past success. Tiller heads into this season with a lot of pressure to win more games.

Purdue University Boilermakers- Players to Watch/Key Departures

WR Dorien Bryant is the most dangerous playmaker on offense. He has been one of the most productive receivers in the country during his career. He will be the go to guy on offense this year for Purdue.

On defense, defensive end Avril should bring pressure off the edge, causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Bick will be back also leading the charge from the middle linebacker position. Purdue did loose All Big- Ten defensive end Anthony Spencer to the NFL so Avril's performance is huge. If Purdue can get to the quarterback on defense this team could win 8 games in 2007.