Purdue's practice had a "different vibe" Tuesday, senior defensive end Evan Panfil said.
That may not be surprising, considering it was Gerad Parker's first as interim coach and Parker's energy level is what quarterback David Blough called "one of a kind."
The Boilermakers are hoping a shift from Darrell Hazell, dismissed on Sunday, to Parker will provide some kind of spark for the season's final six games. Because, as Panfil and Blough told it after Tuesday's practice, they're still approaching the season with something at stake.
Just because there's no longer a head coach, the season isn't over.
"Goals haven’t changed," said Blough, one of two players made available by Parker to media Tuesday. "Coach Parker has emphasized, 'How special can we make these last six weeks?' You go in and knock off No. 8 on the road, after you lose a coach, and people will start saying, ‘What in the world just went on?’ We can do it. These guys believe it, and we’re going to fight."
In another breath, Blough admitted that Purdue hasn't given very many reasons to people outside of the program to believe.
Though the Boilermakers are 3-3 this season, they've showcased the same inconsistency that plagued the program under Hazell.
They think that can change, though, with new leadership, which they learned about Sunday afternoon when told by athletic director Mike Bobinski.
"It’s been tough. With that being said, as a team we’ve really bonded and came together. We’ve accepted the reality of the situation and we’ve moved on pretty successfully," Panfil said. "(Tuesday) was a really high, uptempo, energetic day. Coach Parker brought tremendous energy to the practice and kind of set the precedent of what these next six weeks are going to be about. I think it’s going to be great. We’re moving forward with it."
What changes did Parker implement in practice?
Blough and Panfil said there was a greater emphasis on sprinting from drill to drill, more competitive situations and more scenarios that promoted physicality.
The tweaks to practice only were an example of broader changes, Panfil said.
"The precedent has been set as far as what the rules are for these next six weeks," Panfil said. "What he expects is what he expects. There’s no gray area. I think that’ll be huge for us."
• Blough says not to expect changes to the offensive scheme now that Parker has taken over the head role.
"Coach Malone’s still got our offense," Blough said. "Maybe Coach Parker wants something called at a different time, maybe, but Coach Malone has 100-percent control over it and he’s putting us in a good plan (to) go get some more yards and score some points, give the best opportunity to beat these guys."
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