INSIDE SLANT

Halfway through his first season, Danny Hope had no hope in West Lafayette.

The Boilermakers kept finding new ways to lose close games, dropping five straight after winning their opener. From 1-5, Purdue used a win against Ohio State as a springboard to a 4-2 finish and a respectable 5-7 season.

It didn’t end with a bowl game, but given where the Boilermakers began this season, it was still considered a success.

“We stuck together through a lot of tough times,” coach Danny Hope said. “We were a football team that in a lot of ways defied all odds. We started off 1-5 and ended 4-2. We beat the top-ranked team that’s going to the Rose Bowl (Ohio State) and won at Michigan for the first time in half a century … It’s huge for our program in so many ways.”

Hope didn’t have much talent on the roster when he took over for Joe Tiller, but he did the best with what he had. Quarterback Robert Marve and running back Ralph Bolden give Purdue two key building blocks on offense, while linebacker Jason Werner—if he appeals and wins a sixth year from the NCAA—would be a huge mentor for a young defense still trying to improve.

Purdue finished last in the Big Ten in rushing defense and 10th in points allowed. The Boilers traditionally struggle defensively, though, which Hope will have to make a point of emphasis as he goes.

Purdue treated its season finale against Indiana as a bowl game. The fact the Boilermakers beat the Hoosiers sent the players into the offseason feeling good about their chances in 2010.

“We have a lot of young guys,” receiver Keith Smith said. “Ending with a win is motivating to them.”

NOTES, QUOTES

Game Of The Year:   Purdue 26, Ohio State 18—Purdue entered lugging a five-game losing streak and wondering if it would win another game the rest of the season. Then the Boilermakers forced five Ohio State turnovers to beat a ranked opponent for the first time in six years.

This wasn’t just any old ranked opponent. This was an Ohio State team ranked in the top 10, the same team that has won five consecutive Big Ten championships.

Aaron Valentin caught a pair of touchdown passes, Brandon King had a pair of interceptions and Ryan Kerrigan had three of Purdue’s five sacks against Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor. The victory breathed life into Purdue, which ended the season winning four of its last six games.

Player Of The Year:   DE Ryan Kerrigan—QB Joey Elliott is a close runner-up, but Kerrigan led the defense and was among the nation’s leaders with 11 sacks. He played a huge role in Purdue’s win against Ohio State in the biggest victory of the year, and every week he was the one player opponents had to account for at all times. Kerrigan is only a junior, but most certainly will be tempted to leave early for the NFL.

Fast Forward:   In terms of personnel, it would appear that Purdue’s biggest problem is in the secondary. All four starters from the 2009 season are departing seniors, leaving just three cornerbacks on scholarship for next year. Linebacker Jason Werner is also an outgoing senior, but is contemplating petitioning the NCAA for a sixth season since he lost nearly two years to injuries. He’ll likely get it if he asked.

The big question is whether or not DE Ryan Kerrigan will return for his senior year or opt for the NFL. If Kerrigan is back, Purdue should have a strong front seven. The problem will be stopping home runs with an inexperienced and short-handed secondary.

QB Joey Elliott leaves the offense after his one year as a starter, but Miami transfer Robert Marve is nearly recovered from knee surgery and should be ready when he is eligible to play next season. He will be pushed by Caleb TerBush, a sophomore next year who played sparingly this season.

Marve will have plenty of targets, with juniors Keith Carlos and Keith Smith back for another season. Smith had six games with at least 100 yards receiving this season and scored a touchdown in half of Purdue’s games.

Sophomore RB Ralph Bolden looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate after Purdue’s first two games, totaling 357 yards and four TDs. He rushed for just 574 the rest of the season, leaving him 69 yards shy of 1,000.

The offense is hit hardest along the line, where tackle Zach Jones, guard Zach Reckman and center Jared Zwilling all depart.

The Boilermakers should return to a bowl game next season after missing out each of the last two years. Coach Danny Hope’s rebuilding project received a huge boost by Purdue’s impressive 4-2 finish, which included wins against Ohio State and Michigan. With another year in the new system, coupled with another of Hope’s Florida-heavy recruiting classes, the Boilermakers should at least rive to the middle of the pack in the Big Ten.

Recruiting Trail:   The Boilermakers will have just three scholarship DBs after this season. That is already being rectified with the addition of junior college cornerback Michael Eargle, who will enroll at Purdue in January from Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania.

Coach Danny Hope is continuing to mine Florida for most of his recruits. Fourteen of Purdue’s 20 recruits last year came from Florida, and this year seven of the 18 verbal commitments are from Florida.

The biggest name thus far is O.J. Ross, an undersized (5-foot-10) receiver from Daytona Beach. He heads another class that is low on name recognition, but high on speed and potential.

Quote To Note:   “We stuck together through a lot of tough times. We were a football team that in a lot of ways defied all odds. We started off 1-5 and ended 4-2. We beat the top-ranked team that’s going to the Rose Bowl (Ohio State) and won at Michigan for the first time in half a century … It’s huge for our program in so many ways.”—coach Danny Hope

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Players To Watch In 2010:  

• QB Robert Marve—He left Miami after starting 11 of 13 games in 2008, but he was suspended twice and clashed with coach Randy Shannon. It’s much easier to stay out of trouble in West Lafayette, Ind. than it is on South Beach. If he does, Marve could be a star.

• RB Ralph Bolden—Still has tremendous potential that he flashed early before fading down the stretch. Bolden’s disappearance coincided with Joey Elliott’s emergence as QB. Get the ball in Bolden’s hands 25 times a game, get out of his way and watch him become one of the best backs in the Big Ten.

• DE Ryan Kerrigan—If he comes back, and right now that’s a big if, Kerrigan immediately becomes one of the five best defensive ends in the country. Kerrigan has the type of power and explosiveness that causes nightmares for opposing tackles. Now Purdue just has to hold onto him.

Pro Prospects:  

• QB Joey Elliott—After the success of Drew Brees and Kyle Orton in the NFL, someone will take a look at Elliott. He threw for 2,821 yards, 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this year. Elliott played better as the year progressed, throwing eight touchdowns over the last three games. Over the final five games, he had just three interceptions.

• CB Brandon King—His size will hurt him (5-foot-11), but King has the cover skills to be an NFL cornerback. He should test well at the combine. Unfortunately, though, he won’t grow before April’s draft.

• WR Aaron Valentin—Finished second on the team with 50 catches for 601 yards. Valentin also proved to be dangerous as a return man—when he hung onto the ball. Valentin could be the only player to return a punt for a touchdown and lose the job in the same day, thanks to a pair of fumbled returns later in the game. Valentin can make a good special teams player somewhere, provided he stops fumbling.

Roster Report:  

• LB Jason Werner is considering his options, meaning he may or may not apply for a sixth season with the NCAA. A lot will probably depend on his desire to go through another season. If he applies, he’ll likely be granted a sixth season after missing nearly two years with injuries.

• Marve continues to progress well from knee surgery. He would’ve been forced to sit out this season under NCAA transfer guidelines, anyhow, but he has used the last year as a chance to watch practice and study the playbook. He began running the scout team toward the end of the season and should be 100 percent by the start of spring ball.