No. 20 Boilermakers

Leading into the Sept. 5 season opener against Syracuse, GoldAndBlack.com will count down the days 'til the 2004 lidlifter by highlighting the former Boilermakers who wore the jersey corresponding to the days remaining until kickoff.

Frank Amato 1959, HB

Thomas Bloom 1960-62, HB

Jonathan Briggs 1985-87, K

Scott Clayton 1969-71, HB

Chris Daniels 1996-99, WR

Alex DiMarzio 1972-74, DB

Eric Jordan 1979, 1981-83, TB

John Letsinger 1931-32, G

Jim Lockwood 1944-45, C

Lou Sims 1965-66, HB

Corey Walden 1988, DB

*Source: Purdue Football Information Guide

Chris Daniels may not have been the most talented receiver in school history, but in 1999, he put together the best single-season of any receiver in Purdue and Big Ten history. His 121 receptions are 23 more than the former league record set by former Boilermaker Rodney Carter in 1985.

Daniels caught 71 percent of his career receptions (170, seventh all time at Purdue) in 1999, his senior year. His 1,236 receiving yards in ’99 are second to John Standeford’s 1,307 set in 2002.

Tommy Bloom saw a lot of time in the Boilermaker backfield as a left halfback and special teams player from 1960-62 before his untimely death in an auto accident in 1963. The Weirton, W. Va., native had his best season as a senior in 1962 when he led the team in receiving with 13 catches and two touchdowns. Because of his acumen as a return man, he led the Boilers in all purpose yards with 522 as a junior in 1961.

Four years later in 1966, Lou Sims had a promising season cut short with an early season injury. He was regarded as the fastest guy on the team and was a starter in the defensive backfield for eight games in 1965. He ran track at Purdue as well.

Alex DiMarzio was another track performer who earned starting time as a senior in the Boilermaker defensive backfield in 1974. He was the ’73 outdoor hurdles champ before injuring his knee during the football season later that year. In his junior year, the Canton, Ohio, product also served as Purdue’s primary kick returner.

A player with a promise that was slowed by injuries was Scott Clayton. In 1970, the Boilermakers' eyes were on sophomore back Otis Armstrong in the season opener against TCU. Armstrong didn’t disappoint gaining 100 yards, but it was the junior Clayton who turned some heads, gaining 86 yards and scoring both Boilermaker (in the fourth quarter) touchdowns in a 15-0 win. Clayton was limited to just 20 carries as a senior in 1972.

A talented back who came to Purdue all the way from Las Vegas was Eric Jordan. He played both offense and defense during his days at Purdue, starting six times at cornerback in Coach Leon Burtnett’s first season in 1982. As a senior back on offense, Jordan finished second on the team in rushing with 521 yards, sporting a gaudy 6.4 average per carry mark.

Local product Jonathan Briggs was a highly accurate kicker, converting on 72-of-74 PATs and 36-of-55 field goal attempts. His 36 field goals is second all-time to Travis Dorsch and his 50-yard field goal in the 1987 game against Notre Dame is just one yard short of the Purdue standard.

Jim Lockwood was listed as the starting center on 1944 team that finished 5-5 under first-year Coach Cecil Isbell.

1. Chris Daniels

2. Tommy Bloom

3. Lou Sims, Alex DiMarzio

5. Scott Clayton, Eric Jordan, Jonathan Briggs

Share your favorite memories of any of the No. 20s on the Knucklehead Central.

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