Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/91053
PREGAME REPORT P E N N S T A T E @ P U R D U E 3 : 3 0 P . M . , N O V. 3 E S P N U PURDUE FACTS COACH Danny Hope (Eastern Kentucky, '81) COACH'S RECORD 54-48 in nine seasons as a head coach, including a 19-26 record in three-plus seasons at Purdue. TEAM'S RECORD 3-5 (0-4 Big Ten) RECORD VS. PENN STATE The series is tied, 3-3-1. (Eight Penn State victories have been vacated.) PREVIOUS MEETING The Nittany Lions in- tercepted a season-high three Purdue passes and used three field goals to edge the Boilermakers, 23-18, on Oct. 15, 2011 in Beaver Stadium. THE GOOD LONG DRIVE With 30 touchdown drives this season, Purdue has posted 18 scoring drives of 70 or more yards and averages 66.9 yards on all touchdown drives in 2012. THE BAD OPEN HOLES The Boilermakers' defense allows a conference-worst 5.8 yards per play and nearly 30 points per game, which is third-worst in the Big Ten. THE UGLY STAYING ON THE FIELD Purdue allows more third- and fourth-down conversions than any team in the Big Ten. Opponents have converted on 44.3 percent of third downs and 62.5 percent of fourth downs. DID YOU KNOW? Penn State's punter and kicker, both of whom are Indiana natives, have ties to Purdue. Alex Butterworth's grandfather and uncle played baseball and football, respectively, for the Boilermakers. And Sam Ficken is a cousin of Robbie Hum- mel, who was an all-Big Ten basketball player for Purdue last year. SAFE LANDING With uncertanties at quarterback, Purdue might turn to running back Akeem Shavers to carry the load. Reeling Purdue attempts to snap its four-game losing streak FREE FALLING TIM OWEN | OWE N . T I M . B WI@G M A I L . C O M There was no mention of Danny Hope's name in the one-paragraph statement, but the message from Purdue's athletic director was obvious: Get the Boiler- makers eligible for a bowl game… or else. This was supposed to be the season the senior- laden Boilers made a legiti- mate bid for the Big Ten championship. They won three of their first four games, their only loss coming against Notre Dame, 20-17. But then they lost their first four O C T O B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 2 1 Big Ten games, including a 44-28 flop at Minnesota last weekend. The four-game skid has caused a stir in the local media re- garding Hope's job security, and it prompted athletic director Morgan Burke to release the following statement to The Associ- ated Press: "Everyone around our foot- ball program has high expecta- tions for the 2012 season. We have worked very hard over the past four years to im- prove our personnel, facilities and every B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M John Beale