2009 Purdue Football: It Feels Like 1997

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Running Backs

Jim Colletto was the head coach at Purdue the last time anyone would suggest that the running game is stronger than the passing game. Well, that is the way it looks, at least for now.

Senior Jaycen Taylor was suppose to team up with Kory Sheets last year but tore an ACL before the season even started. The best-case scenario has Taylor becoming more of a speed back than Sheets.

Ralph Bolden was the top offensive player in the spring. He is a compact runner who is willing to run inside but is fast enough to get outside. Bolden also displayed the ability to catch passes out of the backfield and make big plays.

Purdue fans should not forget about star recruit Al-Terek McBurse. He rushed for 2,238 yards as a senior in high school.

Cornell Jackson will be the assistant coach that enjoys his job the most. Danny Hope and Gary Nord might have to create more running plays and formation variations that existed in Joe Tiller's playbook.

Receivers

The receiving corp, or the lack of one, is the biggest concern for Purdue going into the season. Keith Smith is the leading returning receiver with 486 yards.

Apart from Aaron Valentin, the rest of the receivers could be called the "Ex-Men". Royce Adams and Tommie Thomas are former cornerbacks. Backup tight end Jeff Panfil is a former quarterback. Even Smith started his career at Purdue at safety.

Keith Smith has to become the go-to wide receiver until the others gain experience. Freshmen wide receivers Gary Bush and Eric Williams could make an impact as the season goes along. Junior tight end Kyle Adams is a strong blocker who should be a reliable target for whoever is the quarterback.

Offensive Line

Last season, the line gave up 24 sacks and didn't open up enough holes for the running game. More stability up front would help, and the key to that is Eric Hedstrom.

Hedstrom started eight games at left guard before suffering a shoulder injury. A healthy Hedstrom means senior Zach Reckman can move from left guard back to left tackle where he started the last five games of the season.

Jared Zwilling is the line's most aggressive player and will take over at center.

As a sophomore, Ken Plue is the line's best player. He should be the starting right guard, but he is athletic enough to play tackle.

Expect to see Zach Jones starting at right tackle with Dennis Kelly, Justin Pierce, and Peters Day fighting for playing time on the offensive line.

The key to the defense this year, and perhaps the key to the season, is the ability to stop the run. From 2000 to 2004, Purdue became one of the stingiest run defenses in the Big 10.

Since then, opposing teams have found it increasingly easier to move the ball on the ground. Dan Landholm has placed a renewed emphasis on playing more aggressively and creating more turnovers. Keeping the score down would allow the Boilermakers to stay with their running game and allow Joey Elliott to play more freely.

Defensive Line

Junior Ryan Kerrigan is the stalwart on the defensive line after making 56 tackles and seven sacks in 2008. During spring ball, he displayed more quickness than last year.

Although Kerrigan may be the star of the line, the improvement of veteran Mike Neal and the arrival of Kawann Short at tackle are the major factors in determining the improvement of the line.

During the spring practice, Neal became proficient in getting his hands up to disrupt passing lanes. Short has NFL size and should be able to penetrate the backfield and stuff the run.

Gerald Gooden will man the end opposite Kerrigan. Nickcaro Golding and Robert Maci are the main reserves at end, and Nick Mondek will backup at tackle.

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