Boilers fear plucky IU QB
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 11/20/2009
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Even though Indiana has not had a great season, its quarterback does not lack any skills.
When Purdue (4-7, 3-4 Big Ten) travels south to Bloomington this weekend, they will face off against Ben Chappell, a quarterback that has led his team to the brink of victory against good teams on several occasions this season.
In a reoccurring theme that has haunted IU (4-7, 1-6 Big Ten) this year, they lost by three at Michigan, one at Northwestern, three at Wisconsin, and were leading 21-7 at halftime before they collapsed against then-No.7 Iowa.
Despite their record, IU clearly has a talented quarterback. Currently, Chappell sits in second place for average yards per game, right behind Purdue’s Joey Elliott. Though this is impressive, his negative 23 rushing yards implies that he is a one-dimensional quarterback.
The lack of rushing yards also implies that Chappell is sacked a lot, but that would be incorrect. Indiana has the third fewest sacks against their quarterback in the Big Ten with 13, something sophomore linebacker Joe Holland and the defense would like to change.
“That’s obviously a credit to the offensive line but a credit to the quarterback as well,” Holland said. “He gets rid of the ball quickly, but he is also able to buy himself some time, too.”
Senior linebacker Jason Werner said Chappell has many good attributes that will be on display Saturday.
“Chappell has got a strong arm and has good size; he’s a big 230-lb. quarterback. He gets rid of the ball quick and throws it where his big, tall receivers can get it. The one thing that I’ve noticed is how quick he gets rid of the ball,” Werner said. “... It’s going to be a good test for the defense.”
If Purdue wishes to be successful this weekend, they will need to pressure the quarterback and get some sacks.
Purdue faces Indiana at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.