No. 26 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.

Tim Boykin 1974-77, HB

Tim Clark 1980-83, K

Chuck Keever 1973, MG

Berin Lacevic 2002-03, K

Danny Rogers 1996-99, P

Julian Wagner 1988-90, DB

Pat Woodring 1968, HB

Rod Woodson 1983-86, DB

*Source: Purdue Football Information Guide

The Purdue football jersey No. 26 club is an exclusive one. Just eight letterwinners comprise the list of Boilermakers to wear the jersey — the smallest of any jersey from 1-99.

Despite the small group, however, the No. 26 is probably one of the most memorable numbers in school annals. After all, Rod Woodson wore it with such great skill as a four-year starting defensive back from 1983-86. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native, whose NFL Hall of Fame career spans 17 years, was a consensus All-American in 1986 and the Boilermakers’ most recent first-round draft pick. He has been to the Pro Bowl more times than any Boilermaker (11), and was considered by Sports Illustrated as one of the top-50 NFL players of all-time.

Woodson is one of four Boilermakers to make first team All-Big Ten three times. In fact, the only year he didn't pick up all-league honors — his freshman season — he led the Boilermakers in solo tackles. His Boilermaker career perhaps couldn’t have been wrapped up any better than when he played nearly every play in a dramatic 17-15 win over Indiana in ’86. Dressed in Old Gold for the first time since the 1940s, Woodson rushed for a team-season high 93 yards and caught three passes for 67 yards. At his usual cornerback position, he had 10 tackles and a fumble caused.

Tim Boykin was a reserve running back for coaches Alex Agase and Jim Young and one of three brothers to play college football. Chuck Keever was a walk-on nose guard who had his moment in the sun in the 1973 Bucket Game in Bloomington. He started his final two games of his career, but was instrumental in helping the Boilermakers hang on for a 28-23 win in Memorial Stadium.

Three special teams’ players have donned the jersey. Tim Clark scored 131 points as the Boilermaker place-kicker from 1981-83. He nailed three field goals in his first college appearance in a 44-20 win over Illinois and established a Purdue record for most PATs without a miss in 1981. Clark overcame a serious handicap after losing half of his right foot in a lawn mower accident when he was 18 months old. Danny Rogers ranks sixth all-time in punting average at 39.6. His best season was his senior year when he averaged 41.9 per kick, also sixth-best in the Boilermaker record book.

Berin Lacevic struggled during his one year as the regular place-kicker in 2002, but his courageous story of growing up in war-torn Sarajevo and coming to American is one of courage and hope.

Julian Wagner was a reserve cornerback from Cincinnati under Coach Fred Akers. His role as a Boilermaker was limited to special teams.

1. Rod Woodson

2. Tim Clark

3. Danny Rogers

4. Chuck Keever

5. Berin Lacevic

Read our rationale behind the ranking and share your favorite memories of any of the No. 26s on the Knucklehead Central.

To view the entire list of Boilers By Numbers, click here

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