| |
 |
|
Gunslinger Purdue ('98: 9-4, 6-2 Big Ten)
Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 05:49 PM
The Plot
In his first two years in West Lafayette, Joe Tiller has orchestrated the school's first consecutive nine-win seasons in two decades and conquered the Alamo -- twice. But his biggest accomplishment was convincing a little-known quarterback from Austin, Texas, to leave for football-challenged Indiana. The Boilers' Heisman hopeful Drew Brees will hog the preseason headlines, but lack of a running game or notable defense might make waves once '99 begins.
The DirectorJoe Tiller -- third season, 18-7; 55-37-1 overall
StarringQB Drew Brees - Numbers vs. Minnesota last Oct. 3: -- 31 of 36 for 522 yards and six TDs.WR Randall Lane - Brees' favorite returning target could approach 100 receptions.
Co-starringLB Willie Fells - Leading tackler last year (107) was suspended all spring.TE Tim Stratton -- As a freshman in '98, ranked fifth in receiving among tight ends (381 yards). WR Chris Daniels - On receiving end for 14 of Brees' mind-numbing 55 completions vs. Wisconsin.
And introducingWR Vinny Sutherland - The latest receiver to enter Tiller's mix netted 264 yards in the spring game.
Why it will workBrees. And Fells anchors a promising defensive front.
Why it won'tMichigan and Ohio State, noticeably absent from the schedule in '97 and '98, return this year -- on consecutive weekends.
Our critics' review* * * *
| |||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company.
All Rights Reserved.
