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phase of our program, which is evi- dent. Our student-athletes, alumni, fans, coaching staff and administra- tion all expect to see the program move forward and take a step up the postseason ladder. Currently, our performance has kept us from reach- ing our goals. But we have a third of the season left to play, and our focus is to achieve that consistency over the remaining four games. We need to press forward, converting potential into results." Hope said that he "didn't pay a whole lot of attention" to what Burke said, adding that he is looking to get his team back on track when Penn State visits West Lafayette on Satur- day. "I didn't try to read between the lines any," Hope said. "I think it's a pretty generic statement and very similar to the one that was posted about this time last year. Our focus is to prepare our team for the football game this Saturday. So I didn't play a whole lot of attention to the statement. I just glanced at it." Instead, his attention is fixed on the Nittany Lions, he said, and getting the first of the three additional victories that Purdue needs in order to become bowl-eligible. He called Penn State "a very, very good team that plays in- spired football," but added that he is also taking a hard look at his own ros- ter, which has been decimated by in- juries. All-Big Ten defensive tackle Kawann Short may or may not play against Penn State after suffering a lower leg injury last week that Hope described as "ankle-ish – between the lower shin and the toes." Short said that he felt his ankle was "90 percent" healthy as of Tuesday and said he will know by Friday whether he will play. Reserve defensive tackle Brandon Taylor was also injured against the Gophers, and receiver O.J. Ross is questionable after missing last week's game. Quarterback Robert Marve isn't completely healthy, either, but he was named the starter in place of Caleb TerBush. In week two against Notre Dame, Marve had the anterior cruci- ate ligament in his left knee torn. A sixth-year senior with two previous ACL tears in his medical file, Marve will have surgery after the season. Hope called his willingness to con- tinue playing "an unbelievable sign of physical and mental toughness." "You can't imagine what we've been through as a staff, trying to manage the rash of injuries and the hard- ships at the quarterback position," the fourth-year coach added. "Then you mix in the mendacity that some- times comes with the media that has really stirred the pot and made it a tough management situation for our staff. That has really taken a lot away from the collegiate [experience] for the quarterbacks, to be honest with you." While Marve will get the start, backup Rob Henry is expected to play in a variety of skill position roles. Ter- Bush, who started the previous seven games but has thrown eight intercep- tions, could also see action. Said Hope, "We're going to do what we have to do to win this ball game." When it comes down to it, winning is exactly what Hope needs to do if he wants to be Purdue's head coach next season. He said he feels confident Marve will be effective against Penn State, and he also plans to call on running back Akeem Shavers, who rushed for a season-high 78 yards against Minnesota. Shavers scored a touchdown against Penn State a sea- son ago. But Hope will turn to who- ever can help stop the four-game losing streak. "Obviously, you want to be aware to stop any negative momentum or any downward spiral," he said. "But you hope you're surrounding yourself with the right coaches and players who will do something besides just being ordi- nary when you're going through tough times. This is a time for extraordinary people, not ordinary people. I believe we have enough special people around us to still manufacture a good season. There's a lot to play for, still four games left, a third of the season." Citing the negativity in the local press and the pressure that appears to be mounting from Purdue's athletic administration to turn things around, a reporter asked Hope how he has managed to maintain a positive out- look. "I am positive," he replied. "I'm not staying positive. There's a big differ- ence." O C T O B E R 3 1 , 2 0 1 2 2 BWI'S FORECAST NATE BAUER RECORD 5-3 Purdue is riding a four-game los- ing streak, so the Nits need to prepare for an early surge by the Boilers. That said, if Matt Mc- Gloin and the offense can get things clicking again, Purdue won't be able to stop them. PENN STATE 34, PURDUE 24 PHIL GROSZ RECORD 5-3 The Boilermakers are the biggest disappointment in the Leaders Division. They enter the game wth a four-game losing streak and used three QBs in a loss to Minnesota a week ago. PENN STATE 35, PURDUE 17 MATT HERB RECORD 7-1 Penn State showed resilience ear- lier this year in bouncing back from two early-season losses. It will do so again vs. the injury-rid- dled Boilers. PENN STATE 28, PURDUE 17 TIM OWEN RECORD 5-3 Purdue's offense is too suspect to give it the edge, especially vs. an angry PSU defense hoping to rebound from last week. PENN STATE 24, PURDUE 10 RYAN SNYDER RECORD 6-2 Purdue gives Penn State a bat- tle, but the Nittany Lions pull out a close one. PENN STATE 28, PURDUE 24 ERIC THOMAS RECORD 4-4 Can Penn State regroup after a bad loss? Expect a fast start and strong close for the Nittany Lions. PENN STATE 27, PURDUE 10 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M

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