2008 Woodie Awards
First time around: 'Paint' Blasted
Purdue QB leads attack against hurt CMU secondary
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: Motor City Bowl Preview
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Editor's note: This story was originally published Sept. 17.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue coach Joe Tiller has tutored some of the most prolific passing attacks in the history of college football.
The CMU football team's depleted secondary discovered first-hand Saturday just what kind of offensive attack Tiller and the Boilermakers possess. Purdue senior quarterback Curtis Painter threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns to lead the team to a 45-22 win.
"I think the same thing I did coming in here. (Painter) is a great football player," said CMU coach Butch Jones. "He's very accurate, he's got a good touch, he's got great arm strength. And he's got great command of the offense."
The Chippewas (1-2 overall, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) played without senior strong safety Curtis Cutts and backup E.J. McLaughlin in the secondary, both of whom suffered injuries during CMU's win last week against Toledo.
The injuries forced cornerback Eric Fraser to start at safety alongside sophomore Calvin Hissong. But Fraser was injured early in the second half and was replaced by sophomore Kirkston Edwards.
Two of Painter's three touchdowns came in the second half.
"I'm not using it as a crutch or using it as an excuse, but when you're playing 30 freshmen and sophomores, everything is a learning experience," Jones said.
The Boilermakers opened the game with a 74-play drive that ended when sophomore defensive back Chaz West stripped Purdue receiver Dorien Bryant on the 2-yard line. CMU linebacker Tim Brazzel fell on the ball to give CMU its first turnover of the season.
CMU's defense went on to force four more turnovers in the game, including three fumbles and one interception off a trick play.
"We can't turn the ball over that much week-in and week-out and be successful," Tiller said. "We were lucky we were so dominant early in the game because it allowed us to distance ourselves - who knows how it would have gone otherwise."
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue coach Joe Tiller has tutored some of the most prolific passing attacks in the history of college football.
The CMU football team's depleted secondary discovered first-hand Saturday just what kind of offensive attack Tiller and the Boilermakers possess. Purdue senior quarterback Curtis Painter threw for 360 yards and three touchdowns to lead the team to a 45-22 win.
"I think the same thing I did coming in here. (Painter) is a great football player," said CMU coach Butch Jones. "He's very accurate, he's got a good touch, he's got great arm strength. And he's got great command of the offense."
The Chippewas (1-2 overall, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) played without senior strong safety Curtis Cutts and backup E.J. McLaughlin in the secondary, both of whom suffered injuries during CMU's win last week against Toledo.
The injuries forced cornerback Eric Fraser to start at safety alongside sophomore Calvin Hissong. But Fraser was injured early in the second half and was replaced by sophomore Kirkston Edwards.
Two of Painter's three touchdowns came in the second half.
"I'm not using it as a crutch or using it as an excuse, but when you're playing 30 freshmen and sophomores, everything is a learning experience," Jones said.
The Boilermakers opened the game with a 74-play drive that ended when sophomore defensive back Chaz West stripped Purdue receiver Dorien Bryant on the 2-yard line. CMU linebacker Tim Brazzel fell on the ball to give CMU its first turnover of the season.
CMU's defense went on to force four more turnovers in the game, including three fumbles and one interception off a trick play.
"We can't turn the ball over that much week-in and week-out and be successful," Tiller said. "We were lucky we were so dominant early in the game because it allowed us to distance ourselves - who knows how it would have gone otherwise."
