Executive Reporter
Believing – not hoping – to be successful against No. 12 Ohio State is essential for Purdue Saturday.
Senior wide receiver Desmond Tardy isn’t one to hope. He’s a believer. And if the Boilers have any chance of ending two streaks – winless against ranked teams since 2003 and winless in Columbus, Ohio since 1988 – against the Buckeyes, they better believe they can win.
“We have to go up there with the mentality that we can win,” said Tardy, who’s never played at Ohio State (5-1). “Not hoping we can win, but believing we can win. There’s a big difference in that. You should know you can win.”
After talking with six players and two coaches this week, it appears Purdue (2-3) believes it can beat the Buckeyes. Coach Joe Tiller said his players were “saying the right things” and senior captain Ryan Baker said the team is angry.
“This team is motivated by anger right now,” Baker said. “We’re going to do everything it takes to win the game. It’s going to be a hostile crowd and a hostile team we’re playing and it’s going to fun.”
Tardy recognized how “crazy” college football plays out every year and thinks it might be time for Purdue’s big upset. So, playing carelessly and flawlessly will be imperative against a “great team.”
“Our backs are against the wall so we have to come out fighting,” Tardy said. “This is a chance to show how we are going to respond to what’s been going on with us. It’s time to go up there to believe and not hope.”
It’s the first time Purdue has played at Ohio State since losing 16-13 in overtime during the 2003 season. That was the first of 16-straight losses against ranked teams for Purdue.
“That was about as disappointed as I have been with a loss,” Tiller said about the 2003 game in Columbus, Ohio. “I was absolutely convinced we could win that game.”
Tiller may not be convinced about this Saturday’s game, but if he believes, Purdue just might get the win it’s been looking for the last five years.
Published in the Purdue Exponent on Oct. 9, 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment