11/14/2017 football Edit

Sparks gets No. 1 QB snaps in Purdue's Tuesday practice

Stacy Clardie • BoilerUpload

GoldandBlack.com staff

Football beat writer. Have covered Purdue football and men's basketball since 2004, the last six seasons for Gold and Black.

Three days removed from a career day as a receiver, redshirt freshman Jared Sparks was back wearing a yellow jersey in Purdue's Tuesday practice.

That meant he was playing quarterback.

And not just that, but playing with the No. 1 offense at quarterback.

Sparks made the shift with starter Elijah Sindelar missing Tuesday's practice for what a Purdue spokesman called a "day of rest." Coach Jeff Brohm mentioned Monday Sindelar took too many hits in a 23-13 loss to Northwestern last weekend, but he didn't mention Sindelar may be banged up.

Sindelar attempted 60 passes — the first quarterback to do that since Curtis Painter in 2007 — and threw for nearly 400 yards. He played, largely, from start to finish, though Sparks did get two first-half snaps at quarterback to run the Wildcat.

Sparks said he doesn't think he'll do more than that Saturday, but he's ready if needed, he said after Tuesday's practice.

"They just wanted me to get more reps. They decided to sit Elijah out (Tuesday), just to get him some rest. He’ll be back this week," Sparks said. "Just wanted to get me some reps out there, just say intact with the position, being able to stay into the offense."

Sparks had 11 catches for 130 yards receiving against the Wildcats after practicing primarily at receiver for the last month or so. So a bit of a twist to be back with the QBs for the bulk of Tuesday's practice.

"It is strange, but it is what it is," Sparks said. "I'm ready for it. I said it from Day 1, I'm ready to play either quarterback or wide receiver. I love the game of football, and whatever Coach needs me to do, that's what I'll do."