Purdue makes another QB change with season in danger
The third-year head coach announced Tuesday that he is replacingAustin Appleby with redshirt freshman David Blough. Appleby started the first three games of this season and the final seven of 2014. But Appleby has turned the ball over seven times already this season -- six interceptions and a lost fumble -- and that's what led to the change, Hazell said.
"The whole decision was driven by the one thing that we preach all the time: taking care of the football," Hazell said. "To be honest, with our football team, I have to make sure we live up to that and govern ourselves. That's why we made the decision."
Blough competed for the starting job all offseason and brings a lot of promise to the position. He reached the finals of the Elite 11 quarterback competition in high school and has been praised for his advanced knowledge of the game.
"He's the guy that we've always [believed] can create, keep the play extended, keeps his eyes down the field, can make the throws that we need him to make," Hazell said.
Switching signal callers has become a rite of fall in West Lafayette of late. In Hazell's first season, 2013, he replaced Rob Henry withDanny Etling after five games. Last season, Etling was pulled in favor of Appleby at the same point in the season.
This season, it only took three games. But the urgency is understandably increased for the Boilermakers.
They lost their opener at Marshall, a game they might have won if not for four interceptions -- including a pair of pick-sixes -- by Appleby. Purdue beat Indiana State in Week 2, but collapsed in the second half of a 51-24 loss to Virginia Tech last Saturday.
Bowling Green comes into Ross-Ade Stadium this week. The Falcons won at Maryland two weeks ago and beat Indiana last season, so they will not be intimidated by playing a Big Ten team. And a high-powered offense led by quarterback Matt Johnson, who leads the FBS in passing yards and passing touchdowns, could give the Boilers' defense lots of trouble.
If Purdue loses this game and falls to 1-3, the season could really go downhill fast. A rugged opening Big Ten stretch awaits beginning next week: at Michigan State, Minnesota, at Wisconsin and Nebraska. A 1-7 start is very much in the cards, and Hazell's record right now stands at just 5-22. How much more patience will Purdue have with him if things continue to head south?
But Hazell, who talked of putting all the team's eggs in one basket for the Marshall opener, wouldn't go so far to say this week is a must-win game.
"We take every game as it comes, and prepare as hard as we can to win the football game," he said. "We don't look at it as must-win, not must-win. We're in it to win it, and that's where we are."
Where the Boilers are right now is back to Square 1 at the quarterback spot. It's not exactly a move that smacks of desperation, but desperation time appears to be fast approaching.
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Brian Bennett, ESPN Staff Writer - Comment
The third-year head coach announced Tuesday that he is replacingAustin Appleby with redshirt freshman David Blough. Appleby started the first three games of this season and the final seven of 2014. But Appleby has turned the ball over seven times already this season -- six interceptions and a lost fumble -- and that's what led to the change, Hazell said.
"The whole decision was driven by the one thing that we preach all the time: taking care of the football," Hazell said. "To be honest, with our football team, I have to make sure we live up to that and govern ourselves. That's why we made the decision."
Blough competed for the starting job all offseason and brings a lot of promise to the position. He reached the finals of the Elite 11 quarterback competition in high school and has been praised for his advanced knowledge of the game.
"He's the guy that we've always [believed] can create, keep the play extended, keeps his eyes down the field, can make the throws that we need him to make," Hazell said.
Switching signal callers has become a rite of fall in West Lafayette of late. In Hazell's first season, 2013, he replaced Rob Henry withDanny Etling after five games. Last season, Etling was pulled in favor of Appleby at the same point in the season.
This season, it only took three games. But the urgency is understandably increased for the Boilermakers.
They lost their opener at Marshall, a game they might have won if not for four interceptions -- including a pair of pick-sixes -- by Appleby. Purdue beat Indiana State in Week 2, but collapsed in the second half of a 51-24 loss to Virginia Tech last Saturday.
Bowling Green comes into Ross-Ade Stadium this week. The Falcons won at Maryland two weeks ago and beat Indiana last season, so they will not be intimidated by playing a Big Ten team. And a high-powered offense led by quarterback Matt Johnson, who leads the FBS in passing yards and passing touchdowns, could give the Boilers' defense lots of trouble.
If Purdue loses this game and falls to 1-3, the season could really go downhill fast. A rugged opening Big Ten stretch awaits beginning next week: at Michigan State, Minnesota, at Wisconsin and Nebraska. A 1-7 start is very much in the cards, and Hazell's record right now stands at just 5-22. How much more patience will Purdue have with him if things continue to head south?
But Hazell, who talked of putting all the team's eggs in one basket for the Marshall opener, wouldn't go so far to say this week is a must-win game.
"We take every game as it comes, and prepare as hard as we can to win the football game," he said. "We don't look at it as must-win, not must-win. We're in it to win it, and that's where we are."
Where the Boilers are right now is back to Square 1 at the quarterback spot. It's not exactly a move that smacks of desperation, but desperation time appears to be fast approaching.
