Last season the pass-happy offense of Purdue coach Joe Tiller finally showed some signs of wear and tear, after an unprecedented run under the most prolific quarterback in school history, Drew Brees.

The 2001 Boilermakers finished last in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 19.1 points per game, ninth in passing at 197.4 yards per game, last in rushing with 89.4 yards per game, and finally, dead-last in total offense at 286.8 yards per game.

This from a program that under Tiller had topped 500 yards of offense in a game 16 times, had scored 41 or more points in 14 games, and has been "shameless" about passing the football, to use a term Tiller himself once invoked.

Nobody expected the offense to replace Brees without skipping a beat, but the dramatic tumble from the fourth-best offense in the country to the 11th-best offense in the Big Ten took many by surprise.

Still, Purdue survived with a defense that was surprisingly stout, finishing fourth in the conference and keeping the Boilermakers alive in a few games when the offense was not performing well. In the end, the unfamiliar equation added up to a 6-5 regular season and a berth in the Sun Bowl, where No. 13 Washington State pulled out a 33-27 victory.

The season actually started out looking more promising, with a 4-0 start that included a stunning comeback win at Minnesota. The Boilermakers overcame an 11-point deficit with eight minutes to play, and finished the comeback in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

Trailing 28-25 and pinned at its own 3-yard line with 19 seconds to play and no timeouts, Purdue quarterback Brandon Hance completed back-to-back passes of 27 and 39 yards to set up Travis Dorsch’s game-tying field goal from 48 yards out with one second left. Purdue then scored in overtime and sealed the win on a Stuart Schweigert interception in the end zone.

Another comeback followed the next week, as the Boilermakers outscored Iowa, 10-0, in the fourth quarter for a 23-14 win. The 4-0 start vaulted Purdue to No. 17 in the Associated Press rankings, but a 24-10 loss at Michigan at least temporarily burst the bubble. A 32-27 win over reeling Northwestern put the Boilermakers at their high-water mark for the season, 5-1.

But the slide that followed was rapid and decisive. A 25-point loss at home to Illinois and a 26-point loss at Ohio State touched off a season-ending 1-4 skid that concluded with losses to in-state rivals Indiana (Tiller’s first defeat against the Hoosiers) and Notre Dame.

In the process, Hance was benched and then announced his intentions to transfer, but Purdue still went to its fifth straight bowl game in Tiller’s five years on campus.

Hance, a red-shirt freshman last year, started the season in fine fashion, scoring on a 1-yard run to end the first drive of his collegiate career in Purdue’s season-opening 19-14 win at Cincinnati. He followed that with a 21-for-37 outing with 252 yards and two touchdown passes against Akron, and then engineered the shocking comeback at Minnesota, a game in which he also threw for 306 yards and three touchdowns.

However, his completion percentage started to tumble and the interceptions started to pile up, and in the passing-oriented Tiller offense, that’s not going to get it done for long. In Week 8 he was yanked during a three-interception afternoon at Ohio State, and the next week he was pulled for good midway through a victory over Michigan State.

Tiller decided it was time to sink or swim with sophomore Kyle Orton (6-4, 209) who started the final three games of his freshman year and seemingly fit right in with the frenzied offensive attack. Even though the Boilermakers lost all three games, Orton piled up 178 attempts over that stretch, including a wild Sun Bowl in which he finished 38-for-74 (the most passes in NCAA bowl history) for 419 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions.

Hance, who threw for 1,529 yards on 52.7 percent passing with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a freshman, announced before the Sun Bowl that he would transfer from Purdue, and has landed at Southern Cal. Meanwhile, Orton now wears the mantle of leadership that is expected of quarterbacks at Purdue.

Orton showed off that improved accuracy in the annual Black and Gold game when he finished 18-for-24 for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Red-shirt freshman Kyle Smith (6-4, 209) will be the No. 2 man for Purdue this year, and despite throwing three picks in the spring game, he also played well, completing 20-for-38 for 242 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Bobby Farmer (6-1, 213) will push Smith for the backup role, but Orton knows all eyes will be focused on him when the season starts.

The running game has been little more than an afterthought, or at least a change of pace, under Tiller. In fact, no running back has had a 1,000-yard season since Tiller came to campus, but at least that guy is still on the roster -- senior Montrell Lowe (5-8, 190).

Two years ago, Lowe rushed for 998 yards and six touchdowns, the seventh-best rushing total in school history. He was able to take advantage of the extra attention defenses focused on Brees, but with the freshmen quarterbacks in the saddle, Lowe’s productivity dropped to 640 yards and a 3.5-yard per carry average, both career lows.

The three-year starter is on the Doak Walker Award watch list, but he could be pushed for playing time by junior Joey Harris (5-11, 209), who started two games last year and finished second on the team with 58 carries and 255 yards. Red-shirt freshman Brandon Jones (5-11, 227) also came on strong in spring practice, while red-shirt freshman Jerod Void (6-2, 192) could contribute but missed time with a sprained ankle in the spring. Freshman Greg Stevenart (5-10, 201) also provides depth at the position.

Sophomore Jon Goldsberry (6-3, 238) was targeted for a move from linebacker to fullback this spring, but a strained knee delayed that position switch, at least temporarily. If that plan is scrapped in August, look for juniors Jacob Rowe (5-9, 226) and Patrick Schaub (6-0, 218) to fight for the starting spot, if the Boilermakers install any two-back sets this fall.

All three starters return from last year, but the next star receiver on campus might be a guy who hasn’t played a down for the Boilermakers yet. Junior Anthony Chambers (6-1, 194) was the fourth-ranked junior college receiver last year after two seasons at Independence (Kansas) Community College, and he opened eyes with a strong showing this spring. In fact, The Sporting News tabbed him as the preseason newcomer of the year in the Big Ten.

"Anthony brings personality," Orton said. "He’s a fun guy to be around. He’s a strong kid, he’s not afraid to go get the ball and he catches the ball really well. Once he responds to the route running and he becomes precise with that, and we get our timing down, I think he could have a really good year."

Chambers will push last year’s starting trio for playing time, but in Tiller’s offense there are usually plenty of balls to go around. The leading returning receiver is sophomore Taylor Stubblefield (6-1, 166), who caught a team-high 73 passes for 910 yards and two touchdowns last year. He was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team by The Sporting News, and capped his season with a Sun Bowl to remember -- nine catches, 196 yards and both of his touchdowns. The 76 catches represent the fourth-best season by a receiver in school history.

But a July 4 accident at home left Stubblefield with a fractured skull and an uncertain status going into the fall.

Junior John Standeford (6-4, 191) is on the Biletnikoff Award watch list this year after a season in which he caught 47 passes for 587 yards and four touchdowns. He caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime at Minnesota, after making a 27-yard grab on the frantic drive that set up the game-tying field goal. In the Sun Bowl he posted a career-high 12 catches for 103 yards.

Senior Seth Morales (5-10, 174) also returns after starting all 12 games and making 29 catches for 353 yards and four touchdowns. He had two touchdown catches at Minnesota and went for 115 yards and a touchdown on seven catches against Ohio State as a freshman.

Other receivers pushing for playing time this season are senior Chris James (5-10, 178), sophomores Kevin Noel (6-3, 206) and Zach Hill (5-10, 173), and freshmen Jameson Evans (6-3, 207) and Drew Rucks (6-2, 203).

At tight end, the departed Tim Stratton leaves big shoes to fill. Stratton started 28 games over his career, and last year his 59 catches were second best on the squad. Sophomore Mike Rhinehart (6-6, 257) is the only tight end with playing experience after making three starts and catching two passes last year.

All five projected first-teamers have starting experience on the offensive line, providing a security blanket that a young quarterback like Orton needs. Senior Gene Mruczkowski (6-2, 299) has made 36 straight starts for the Boilermakers and moved from guard to center last season. This spring he won the Pit Bull Award for tenacity during spring drills.

At left tackle, senior Pete Lougheed (6-5, 295) returns after starting all 12 games as a junior. He’s a converted tight end who started three games and caught a touchdown pass as a sophomore, and his agility will be key to protecting Orton’s blind side.

The other tackle will be sophomore Kelly Butler (6-8, 299), who started all 12 games last year and was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team by The Sporting News. Senior Rob Turner (6-4, 299) started the first eight games of last season at right guard before breaking his left leg against Illinois and missing the remainder of the regular season, although he did return in time for the Sun Bowl. His replacement was senior Kelly Kitchel (6-6, 299), who will take over for the graduated Sean Rufolo at left guard.

Sophomores David Owen (6-6, 284) and Jason Eisele (6-5, 275) and freshmen Josh Tomsheck (6-6, 299), Matt Turner (6-3, 277) and Brian Wang (6-7, 275) look to be the top reserves.

The Boilermakers have big shoes to fill with the departure of four-year starter Dorsch, who was drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in April’s NFL draft. Dorsch set Big Ten career records with 66 field goals and 346 points, most ever for a kicker, and last year he was a first-team All-America selection by Football News and The Sporting News and first-team All-Big Ten.

Sophomore Andy Nelson (6-2, 224) and junior Berin Lacevic (5-10, 162) will vie for the kicking duties this fall. Nelson is a transfer from South Dakota State -- the school that produced Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri of the New England Patriots. He red-shirted last year.

Meanwhile, Lacevic was a second-team All-American last year at Garden City (Kansas) Community College and had a strong showing in the spring game with field goals of 41 and 40 yards and two touchbacks on kickoffs. He also missed from 58 and 40 yards, but thought he accomplished what he set out to do.

The Boilermakers have to replace three starters from the defensive line, including defensive end Akin Ayodele, a three-year starter who was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by Jacksonville. Ayodele led the team with nine sacks and 20 stops behind the line of scrimmage and even blocked four passes. His 64 tackles were fifth best on the team.

Defensive tackle Matt Mitrione (40 tackles, 14 for a loss, four sacks) has graduated and junior Craig Terrill (6-3, 284), who made 34 tackles, six for a loss and two sacks, missed spring practice with chronic patellar tendinitis and his return this fall is in question.

Junior defensive end Shaun Phillips (6-3, 260) is the lone returning starter and a second-team preseason All-Big Ten pick by The Sporting News. Last year Phillips, who has made 24 straight starts, was an honorable mention all-conference pick with 72 tackles, fourth-best on the team, and finished second on the squad with six sacks and 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also recovered four fumbles, tied for tops in the conference.

The top candidates for the other defensive end position are junior Kevin Nesfield (6-3, 243) and sophomore Doug Swann (6-5, 228). Each saw spot duty as a reserve last year, but Nesfield did win the most improved award for defense this spring.

The tackles will likely be junior Nick Hardwick (6-4, 282) and senior Brandon Johnson (6-0, 288), although Terrill’s return would probably change that. Johnson started two games last year and had 13 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. He transferred from Butler after starting at offensive guard as a sophomore.

This should be a position of strength for the Boilermakers, who return four players with starting experience among the three spots. Junior Gilbert Gardner (6-2, 234) started the first eight games at the strong-side spot last year but broke his right leg in the Ohio State game. He still earned honorable mention All-Big Ten kudos from the conference coaches as he made 38 tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a sack before the injury.

Junior Niko Koutouvides (6-3, 226) stepped into the lineup and made his presence felt immediately, finishing the season with double-digit tackles in three of the last five games and tying for the conference lead with four fumble recoveries. This year, it appears Koutouvides -- who won the Hammer Award as the top hitter in spring practice -- will stay in the lineup, but move to the middle, forcing senior Joe Odom (6-2, 245), a two-year starter, into Gardner’s open spot, at least until Gardner fully recovers from his injury.

Odom has started 21 games over three years and last year finished third on the team with 78 tackles. He also broke up three passes and picked off three more, tied for second on the squad.

Junior Landon Johnson (6-2, 211) is one guy who is not going anywhere, except straight into the ball carrier, that is. A two-year starter, Johnson was honorable mention All-Big Ten last year and finished second on the team with 82 tackles, including nine for a loss and four sacks. He also broke up three passes, forced three fumbles, recovered another and had two interceptions.

Freshmen Brent Hawkins (6-2, 232), Bobby Iwuchukwu (6-2, 229) and Jason Leimberger (6-2, 219) will push for playing time, while sophomore Goldsberry could provide depth if he’s not moved to fullback.

Discussions of the Purdue secondary begin and end with junior free safety Schweigert (6-3, 208), who has been selected a preseason second-team All-America choice by nationalchamps.net, and is also on the Nagurski Award watch list. Last season he was the only sophomore among the 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back, and was chosen first-team All-Big Ten by the media and second-team all-conference by the coaches.

All the preseason kudos haven’t gone to Schweigert’s head, however. "If anything, I think those types of things push you a little harder each day," he said. "The fact that you’re getting recognition is an indication that it’s time to step up and play like an All-American. I don’t think about it too much, but I do use it as motivation."

His numbers last year include a team-high 98 tackles and six interceptions, including two in the end zone that preserved victories at Cincinnati and Minnesota. He has already tied the school record for interceptions with 11, and his five picks in 2000 were the most for a freshman in school history.

Strong safety Ralph Turner (6-2, 214) missed spring practice with a shoulder injury, but he’s expected to return for his senior season this fall. He has made 25 starts over the last three seasons, most on the defense, and last year he recorded 45 tackles and broke up three passes. He dislocated his shoulder against Notre Dame and missed the Sun Bowl after surgery.

Sophomore cornerback Antwaun Rogers (6-2, 170) is the other returning starter in the secondary. Last year he tied for second on the team with three interceptions and five passes defensed, and made 50 tackles. He came up with two of his picks in the Sun Bowl.

Junior Jacques Reeves (6-1, 183) made three starts last year and hopes to replace the departed Ashante Woodyard at the other cornerback spot. Reeves, a member of the Purdue track team, finished second in the 60-meter dash at the 2001 Big Ten Indoor meet, and last year he made two interceptions and 32 tackles.

Not only was Dorsch a highly decorated kicker, he was the best punter in the country last year as well. He won the Ray Guy Award as a senior, when he averaged 48.1 yards per punt. He was Purdue’s first consensus All-America selection in 15 years, and was a finalist for the Mosi Tatupu Special Teams Player of the Year as well.

Sophomore Aaron Levin (5-11, 210) appears to be the main candidate to replace Dorsch. He hasn’t made an appearance in a game in his collegiate career, but was a first-team all-state selection in Wyoming as a high school senior. In the spring game and scrimmages he had nine punts for a 37.8-yard average. Nelson is making a bid to win the punting and kicking duties, while receiver Stubblefield might also try out for punter.

Morales is back as the primary punt returner -- last year he averaged 8.5 yards on 39 attempts. Harris returned 20 kickoffs for an 18.9-yard average, and Ferrell will join him after returning eight kickoffs for a 20.4-yard average last year. Stubblefield will probably back up both spots this fall.

Senior long-snapper John Shelbourne (6-6, 258) is back for his third year, backed up by sophomore Marc Reid (6-1, 237), while Levin and Smith are the likely holder candidates.

Besides wide receiver Chambers and kicker Lacevic, tight end Nick Cavallo (6-3, 241) from Milford Academy in Connecticut could push for playing time immediately.

Tiller recruited a good crop of linebackers as well, including John Lampert (6-2, 205) from Texas, Ryan Bucher (6-3, 220) from Pennsylvania, George Hall (6-1, 229) from Connecticut and Duran Johnson (6-2, 210) out of Illinois. Also, Texas native Jerome Brooks (5-10, 185) was listed as a top-50 prospect at running back, and wide receiver Ray Williams (6-2, 175) was ranked No. 19 in the nation by SuperPrep.

For the second straight season, a new quarterback will have to get used to Tiller’s fast-paced attack, but at least this year Orton has some experience behind him, plus a veteran line and a talented corps of receivers.

On defense, there’s much to be desired up front, but the back seven will rank with the best in the Big Ten.

There’s bound to be some drop off in the kicking game, as Dorsch was among the most feared weapons in the conference. But Tiller hasn’t had a bummer of a season yet at Purdue, and there’s nothing here to suggest that his bowl streak will be snapped at five years.