6/17/2004 football Edit

Boilers By Numbers: No. 80

Alan Karpick

Publisher

No. 80 Boilers

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.

Below is a list of all Boilermakers who donned the No. 80 jersey*:

Brian Alford 1994-97, WR

Orvill Anderson 1934, HB

Andy Butchko 1949, E

Richard Chubb (also 54) 1929, T-C

Greg Fenner 1968-70, E

Bernie Flowers 1950-52, E

Barry French 1941-42, 1946, T

Joe Harris 1960, E

Jon Hayes 1984-86, WR

Len Jardine 1957-59, G-E

Richard Johnson 1938-39, T

Jerry Lanarcic 1973, TE

John McKenzie (also 46) 1982-83, DE

Todd Moore 1987-88, WR

Paul Moss 1930-32, E

Harvey Olson 1926-28, C

Colby Reed 1935, FB-E

A.T. Simpson 1998-2001, WR

Bill Sprang 1947-48, C

Bob Springer 1953-55, E

Jamaal Wilson 2002-03, WR

Joe Winkler 1942-44, C

Nigel Wirgowski 1974-76, TE

Dave Young 1977-80, TE

*Source: Purdue Football Information Guide

Gold & Black.com's Top No. 80s:

Dave Young and Paul Moss were the All-Americans to wear No. 80 at Purdue and not surprisingly both were ends for Purdue.

Young, a first team selection at tight end in 1980, was the favorite target of All-American quarterback Mark Herrmann. He still ranks third in all-time touchdown receptions with 27, fifth in receptions (180) and fifth in receiving yardage (2,316).

Moss is one of just six Boilermakers to be a unanimous All-American selection, an honor he achieved undefeated and Big Ten co-champion team in 1932.

Brian Alford was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 1996 and '97. He is second all-time in school recieving yards (3,029) though he will likely fall to third as long as Taylor Stubblefield remains healthy. His 31 touchdown receptions is still tops in school annals.

Though his numbers are gaudy, Alford might be best remembered for successfully taking the hard road to become academically eligible in Coach Joe Tiller's first season in 1997. His presence on the field was vital to the Boilermakers' early success.

Greg Fenner was a tight end that had a penchant for the big play. His lone catch of the 1968 season helped Purdue bail out a last-minute win over Indiana. The following season, he caught a career-high of 15 passes, including a two-point conversion to beat Stanford, 36-35.

Making the most in prime time, end Bernie Flowers caught a record (at the time) three scoring passes from quarterback Dale Samuels in a 40-12 win over defending Big Ten champ Illinois in 1952. The game was the first televised game in school history and went a long way to gaining Purdue a share of the '52 Big Ten crown.

Jon Hayes and A.T. Simpson were similar in size and statistics. Hayes caught 34 passes in three years and Simpson 50 in four campaigns.

Len Jardine was a three-year starter and led Purdue in scoring receptions in 1959. He also served as an assitant coach to Jack Mollenkopf from 1964-66.

Defender John McKenzie and his twin brother Jim from Lafayette played from 1981-83. Bob Springer was one of quarterback Len Dawson's targets at end before going on to a successful high school football coaching career in Indianapolis. Tight end Nigel Wirgowski was a backup tight end and younger brother to Denny Wirgowski.

Our ranking of the best No. 80s:

1. Paul Moss, Dave Young

3. Bernie Flowers, Brian Alford

5. Len Jardine

It is difficult to compare eras, but Young and Moss' accomplishments were pretty heady for their day. Flowers and Alford were both great receivers but maybe just a notch below.

Share your favorite memories of any of the No. 80s on the Premium Message Board.

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