2004 Statistics

Quarterback
The leadership torch has been passed from star Kyle Orton to redshirt junior Brandon Kirsch, and that, necessarily, is not a bad thing. What Kirsch lacks in arm strength, he makes up with his quick feet. Unlike Orton, Kirsch can scorch teams running and throwing on rollouts and escaping from the pocket with the head to know just when to go. That should help the Boilers improve on the 31 sacks they gave up. And Kirsch is well-versed in this offense, having intermittently started six times since 2002 (94 attempts and a 143.4 QB-rating last year). He has to stay healthy (a rotator cuff injury forced a redshirt year in '03) and improve his decision-making, but his transition to full-time starter will be eased by a solid group of playmakers at WR. This offense, which was tops in the Big Ten and 16th nationally, will be less predictable with Kirsch in charge, but expect a return to basics if he falters early. The staff is high on redshirt freshman Curtis Painter, a strong-armed pro style QB who is more like Orton and would stabilize the ship.

Running Back
This offense will still run to open up the pass, especially with a new set of mobile hands under center. The ground game ranked 87th, but they still will continue to use it to set up the pass via imposing an honor system on LBs (nearly 47 percent of the plays were runs). Head man Tiller blames the team's putrid 3.5-yards-per carry average on the O-line, as well as vanilla play-calling (which is still more creative than most other Big Ten offenses). With Kirsch's legs as an "option", the running will open up. The line will be better, and returning starter Jerod Void will be more productive. Void, a converted fullback, brings a splendid speed-power combo to the table. He improved as a receiver last fall, and his stellar pass blocking is vital. Backup Brandon Jones has softer hands and is just as physical as Void. He will get as much work as Void, even if he doesn't have Void's instincts and blocking skills. Expect more out of No. 3 back Jerome Brooks, a 179-pound return specialist who will add a missing spice to this attack with his speed and game-breaking ability. If not redshirted, sophomore Kory Sheets could also be added to that fiery mix. There isn't a huge array of backs behind these guys, so health is an issue if/when injuries arise here.

Receiver
Even with the departure of Big Ten record-holder Taylor Stubblefield, Kirsch will hardly have to distribute his throws to a bunch of stiffs. This offense will still light it up through the air, especially with 6-9 junior Kyle Ingraham poised for a breakout year. His height makes him deadly on fades and a constant worry in the red zone. Look for Ingraham to take over as the possession guy (not a burner) and as the leader of this group. Actually, he's the perfect compliment to a fast unit that will spread secondaries all over the field. There are three deep threats in senior Ray Williams, soph Dorien Bryant and backup Brian Hare (4.45 speed, 26.0 yards per catch). A former New Jersey state 400-meter champ, Williams will have to pick up his production with receptions-monster Stubblefield gone. Bryant is a prep school product who impressed as a freshman. This group was limited by physical secondaries, something that should be remedied with the addition of four-star recruit Selwyn Lymon, a rugged impact guy who thrives in bump-and-run coverage. Air Tiller lives on, just watch and see.

Tight End
Purdue went back to utilizing this position last year, and second-team all-Big Ten pick Charles Davis was the reason. Davis (who played eight minutes at forward against Eastern Illinois for Gene Keady 1/2/05 after the Sun Bowl), is a reliable target who takes at least one LB (or safety) off the WR group. Athletic for a 263-pounder, Davis can stretch the field, and he's also a great blocker. There's not much depth here, but that's not too troubling as Tiller won't use many two-TE sets.

Offensive Line
Still irked by his team's loss to Arizona State in the Sun Bowl a month afterward, Tiller implied that his linemen were soft. Three of those softies return, as do four backups in last year's two-deep. You better believe that those guys endured a world of pain during winter conditioning. The most consistent player up front was center Matt Turner, who again anchors the crew. That will be tougher to do with a scrambling QB, but that could work to the advantage of a line with athletic, trap-happy guards. A key here will be any improved play from Kyle Turley-haired blindside tackle Kyle Otto, who was looking like a potential all-American before last season. "I hope Mike Otto rediscovers himself," Tiller said after the Sun Bowl. "Maybe a haircut's the difference, I don't know. But I hope he plays better football next year than he did this year." Expect those winter hell days to pay off come this fall as an improved line will lead to a more efficient offensive balance. But there is little development and the raw talent isn't up to speed, literally or figuratively.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
The receivers are some of the best in the Big Ten, and this team will get plenty of underneath production from Davis and its running backs. The line will be more of a physical force, with battle scars that have to translate, or else. With that should come an (more) efficient running attack, especially with the imaginative Tiller personally tossing in some new wrinkles. So that leaves Kirsch as the key. He has earned the respect from his teammates as a leader, but being productive in an offense that Tiller says he'll alter to fit Kirsch's talents is the key. The new wrinkle overall is that all of the backfield skill position players are versatile within different roles they can play if asked to - RBs as WRs and QB Kirsch as a RB. With the wealth of talent around him and, most importantly, with the job comfortably in his possession, expect Kirsch (and the offense in general) to be modestly firing on all cylinders by the Big Ten opener, and to again be among the nation's best (13th in al I-A for total offense).

Defensive Line
Like the rest of this defense, everyone is back here, including several of last year's backups. And this team led the Big Ten in sacks. This aggressive line is the strength of the defense, though, as it bogs down O-lines enough to make an average LB group look good and often bails out the secondary with its pressure. The leader is star-in-the-making DE Ray Edwards, who is quick and athletic and had 11 TFLs in his 45 tackles. Counterpart Anthony Spencer isn't as flashy, but he gets the job done as well, meaning there is no weak side, so to speak. Toss in the eight sacks by improving backup Rob Ninkovich, and the three ends combined for 23.5 sacks. Not only are Brandon Villareal and Brent Glover tough to run against inside, but their 23.5 tackles for losses should tell you how often they're in the backfield. Even if Kirsch and the offense regularly go three-and-out, experienced backups such as Ninkovich, Dan McGowen and Eugene Bright, as well as prized recruit J.B. Paxson, will ensure that the pressure stays on for four quarters. Heck, they should even improve on their ranking of 14th for run stuffing.

Linebacker
After holding their own in a rebuilding situation last fall, this once-young bunch is a year older and a year better. While middle-man George Hall, strong-side backer Bobby Iwuchukwu and weak-side guy Stanford Keglar aren't fearsome pass rushers (two combined sacks), they're excellent at covering ground and getting to the ball carrier. They also play a key role in the pass defense shutting down the underneath YAC (opponents averaged 6.6 yards per catch). The tenacious Hall brings the swagger with his big hits and intense play. Iwuchukwu, a kick-blocking specialist and the best athlete here, missed the final four games last fall with an MCL tear, giving true freshmen Cliff Avril and Dan Bick valuable time in his place. With a year to grow on and a great line in front, this group should be one of the most efficient LB corps in the conference.

Defensive Back
Despite his team's strong defensive showing last fall, Tiller indicated after the season that he wasn't happy with the play of his secondary, which was average against the pass. But to fairly state, opponents threw to compensate for their lack of a running game. Unlike last season, there's plenty of experience here, but it will take more than that for improvement. On top of missed assignments, which were to be expected at times, there was a general lack of fire here. Strong safety Bernard Pollard, the best player back here, needs to be more of a leader. Former QB Kyle Smith was adequate at free safety, but could lose his job to soph Torri Williams, a more aggressive, athletic player. While not awful by any means, neither Paul Long nor Brian Hickman is the shutdown corner Antwaun Rogers was before getting hurt as a senior last year. Redshirt freshmen Zach Logan and Fabian Martin, three-star corner recruits with outstanding speed, should be inserted here. Like the offensive line, this area will be under Tiller's microscope this offseason. Considering the returning starters combined for just three interceptions, someone needs to develop into a ball-hawk here for this defense to be better.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Tiller said he wasn't displeased with his defense, but its lack of ability to close out games didn't make him happy. You can't blame that on youth this year, and with so much experienced depth joining some talented 2004 and '05 recruits on this side of the ball, there's no excuse for fourth-quarter fatigue. The run defense should be stellar, always a plus in this conference (well, unless you're playing Purdue). But the key to a great season here will be finding the right combinations in the secondary. With a big-play offense to give that group room to gel early on, a better effort should emerge by the start of the conference schedule.