GoldandBlack.com - Boilermaker notebook: Purdue loses receiver, notes

October 21, 2006

GoldandBlack.com staff

Senior wide receiver Andre Chattams' Purdue career appears over.

Chattams was injured in the third quarter of the Boilermakers' loss to Wisconsin Saturday, when he caught a short screen pass that was immediately swallowed up by the Badger defense.

Coach Joe Tiller said after the game that Chattams' injury was immediately believed to be a ruptured patella tendon, which would require a rehabilitation period of about six months.

"I think it's pretty safe to say his season has come to an end," Tiller said.

The fifth-year senior has been one of the Boilermakers' top reserves at receiver, playing on the outside.

He came into the game with four catches for 83 yards. He had two catches for nine yards against Wisconsin.

Spencer OK

Just prior to Chattams' injury, senior defensive end Anthony Spencer, Purdue's best defensive player, was lost temporarily with what was described later as a sprained foot.

He was kept off the field for the final three plays of the Badger touchdown drive that made it 17-3 - he was injured on Paul Hubbard's 25-yard run - but returned on the next series, coming in for a third-and-four snap that sealed a three-and-out for the defense.

Afterwards, Spencer was still in some pain.

"It hurts a little bit right now," Spencer said, "but I'll be fine."

Spencer finished with three tackles and one stop for loss in a game he called the most physical he's played in.

Other Bumps and Bruises

Tiller said after the game that in addition to Chattams and Spencer, Dustin Keller came out of the game with a sore shoulder and Jordan Grimes had a sprained ankle, though neither injury seemed too serious.

Still Struggling

After making a 47-yard field goal early on, freshman kicker Chris Summers badly missed a 37-yard attempt.

Summers was kicking into the open end of Ross-Ade Stadium, but he didn't think wind impacted the kick, which hooked dramatically left.

"I don't know if the wind was blowing that way," Summers said, "but if you hit a ball that's curling, it adds insult to injury."

Notes

• Defensive tackle Mike Neal, who's been sidelined for several weeks now with a toe injury, but was hoped to be active against Wisconsin, did not dress.

Tight end Jerry Wasikowski, who missed the Northwestern game, returned to action, playing on offense and special teams.

Wide receiver Selwyn Lymon started and played the whole game, catching two passes for 14 yards.

• In order to beef up its defensive line in a physical game, Purdue often used five-man defensive lines, inserting a third defensive tackle. The Boilermakers used it early - in conjunction with man coverage - but got away from it as the game went on.

• Ryan Baker's interception was the first by a Purdue interior defensive lineman since Brent Grover had a pick in last year's game at Indiana.

On the play, Baker, who'd already made two sacks in the early going, dropped back and snagged a John Stocco screen pass.

Baker said that defensive line coach Terrell Williams gives his linemen tests on when to expect screen passes. Baker recently sought extra tutoring from Williams on the matter. It paid off.

"So," Baker said. "Thanks, Coach Williams."

Purdue now has eight interceptions on the season, all by different players.

• Purdue's three points ties a Tiller Era low when No. 13 Michigan beat 10th-ranked Purdue in Michigan Stadium on Oct. 25, 2003, a span of 36 games. It was also the lowest output of the Tiller Era in Ross-Ade since No. 3 Ohio State beat Purdue 10-6 en route to the national title on Nov. 9, 2002. That's a span of 25 games.

• Purdue's three points were its fewest in Ross-Ade Stadium since Sept. 25, 1993, when No. 4 Notre Dame defeated Purdue 17-0 in the driving rain, a span of 164. It was the lowest point production in a Big Ten game at home since the Fred Akers Era when unranked Ohio State defeated Purdue 42-2 on Oct. 20, 1990, a span of 64 conference games in Ross-Ade Stadium.

• Purdue has now lost its last 11 games against ranked opponents.

Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2006. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited. E-mail GoldandBlack.com/Boilers, Inc.

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