TerBush still No. 1; Sunday notes

Listen: Coach Danny Hope before practiceClick Here to view this Link.

Caleb TerBush is Purdue's "most efficient" quarterback, so he'll stay its starter, Coach Danny Hope said Sunday.

TerBush completed 16-of-25 passes for 105 yards, a touchdown and had an interception returned for a touchdown in a 44-13 loss to Michigan on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Robert Marve, playing for the first time since re-injuring his left knee against Notre Dame on Sept. 8, completed five-of-eight passes for 43 yards. He also had a pass intercepted after it went through normally reliable receiver Antavian Edison's hands.

On TerBush's nine drives, Purdue's offense had 129 yards and 10 points.

On Marve's two drives, the Boilermakers had 75 yards and three points.

"Caleb's No. 1 and Robert's No. 2. We'll make a decision as the week goes on whether or not we'll have Robert in the No. 2 position as a backup quarterback or have Robert in the No. 2 position ready to rotate him throughout the course of the ballgame to get him on the field because he is an outstanding player," Hope said. "But he's behind again a little bit reps-wise. That's to be determined.

"But obviously Caleb is still No. 1. I was impressed with what Robert did passing the football and playing the game but obviously he has to minimize some errors as well."

Hope said Marve needs to get more reps in practice to get him "more ready to play."

Marve hadn't practiced fully while recovering from his knee injury until this week, leading up to the game. His knee responded well to playing in a game, too, Hope said.

But even if Marve makes strides in practice, it appears he won't move past TerBush.

"There's a difference between managing the whole game and playing in part of the game," Hope said when asked whether Marve's spark could be better-served from the start of the game. "It takes a lot to manage the offense. Caleb has a lot of experience. He doesn't make as many errors throughout the course of the game as some of our other quarterbacks do right now. Obviously, (Robert) is a heck of a player and guy we want to get in the ballgame.

"Right now, Caleb is our most efficient quarterback. That's just where it's at right now. A lot of that is a result of Robert's history of being injured and having to miss reps."

Close but not enoughWhile watching Purdue from the sidelines on Saturday, Hope thought his team competed hard and was close on a lot of plays.

After watching the film on Sunday, Hope's initial thoughts were confirmed.

He said the defense was did a good job on its run fits but was just a bit hesitant to get downhill to make plays, and that allowed Michigan to tack on several yards on each play.

Execution mistakes hurt the offense, too, especially on third down situations. Purdue came into the game converting 58 percent on third down but was successful on only one of 11 chances against the Wolverines.

"Any time you lose like that and you lose at home, we're disappointed we lost, embarrassed that the score was like it was," Hope said. "You go back and look at the film, we don't have anything to be ashamed of. We gave a great effort. We were just inches off and it turned into yards against this outfit. With a player like Denard Robinson, those yards add up to miles if you're not careful.

"We'll get better from it."

Purdue didn't rotate much on its offensive line, mostly going with the starters besides getting Kevin PamphileClick NoteworthyHere to view this Link. some snaps at left guard. The unit didn't have any pre-snap penalties and gave up two sacks.

Purdue has its share of players who are nursing injuries, including starting defensive tackle Bruce GastonClick "(That was) probably the best we've protected the quarterback all season long against a very good defensive front, and that was a big step for our football team and we did some things technically that helped us take our protection to the next step," Hope said.Here to view this Link. (hamstring) and cornerback Ricardo AllenClick "(That was) probably the best we've protected the quarterback all season long against a very good defensive front, and that was a big step for our football team and we did some things technically that helped us take our protection to the next step," Hope said.Here to view this Link. (ankle, shin), but Hope said he thinks "everybody is going to be OK."

Kawann ShortClick That doesn't include defensive back Normondo Harris - he's going to miss a couple weeks while still trying to get over a sprained knee suffered in the offseason.Here to view this Link. was asked to play all down the line against the Wolverines, some because Purdue played more three-lineman formations than it had so far this season. Short lined up over the center, a shade off the guard and even off the tackle and responded with a team-high eight tackles.

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