Brunt: Purdue QB Etling improves in loss to Iowa
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — With one possession, true freshman quarterback Danny Etling showed why he might have a future at Purdue.
With the Boilermakers trailing 14-7 in the third quarter of Saturday’s 38-14 loss to Iowa, Etling made several big-time plays on a drive that could have tied the game.
1. On one play, he threw the ball away when nothing was there. That’s a big deal for a guy who had been sacked 16 times in his previous three games.
2. He ran for a first down. He hasn’t used his feet much, but his willingness to do what it took to move the chains was encouraging. As for the 8-yard run on the play before gaining the first down, well, Etling hasn’t quite mastered the slide yet.
3. He took a big-time hit and still delivered. His 11-yard completion to Shane Mikesky on a second-and-7 showed there is something there to work with. He stood in there, didn’t take the sack, put the ball where it needed to be and got up for the next play. That’s all you can ask for.
Raheem Mostert fumbled on the next play and Iowa recovered, but the point already had been made: He’s getting there. On that drive, he connected on 3 of 5 passes for 25 yards, with two of the passes going for first downs, and ran twice for 12 yards and a first down.
“I thought we were really executing the game plan,” Etling said. “I thought we were really feeling out what they were trying to do. We really moved the ball well, and I was feeling comfortable back there.”
Confidence is a good thing. I was beginning to worry about whether this experience of being thrown to the wolves would scar him going forward, but fortunately, he’s a tough customer.
I also liked the fact that the Boilermakers jumped and took advantage after Iowa’s fumble in the second quarter, Etling’s touchdown pass to Kurt Freytag in the second quarter tied the score at 7, and the Boilermakers remained in the game for quite a while afterward. It was the first sign that Etling might have a killer instinct.
In all, Etling completed 15 of 28 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions, and he was sacked just twice. For perspective, he completed 13 of 29 passes for 89 yards with an interception and was sacked six times against Ohio State. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 160 yards with an interception and was sacked five times against Michigan State. He connected on just 14 of 35 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown, threw an interception and was sacked five times against Nebraska.
So, Saturday’s effort was decent. Though it wasn’t a work of art and Iowa isn’t as good as any of the three previous teams Purdue played, it was nice to see that, if given time, he’s a relatively effective quarterback.
The offensive line was better on Saturday, too. The Boilermakers gave Etling time, and he’s accurate when he’s not running for his life or ducking.
The Boilermakers still need to help him out a little more, but it appears they are trying.
I like the idea of using 256-pound Brandon Cottom as the main back on a team with a shaky offensive line. Get three yards and a cloud of dust instead of a 3-yard loss while being fancy or losing yards while forcing talented but undersized Akeem Hunt to run between the tackles. Cottom had just 28 yards on 12 carries, but the pile moves forward when he gets the ball, not back.
Also, it was good to see Danny Anthrop get involved. He had a few drops, but he also made some great plays. His catch and second effort to get 11 yards and a first down on a third-and-11 was one of the best plays of the game. Anthrop finished with four catches for 82 yards and a score.
By no means am I saying this was great stuff. I’m just pointing out that Etling and the team took a few measurable steps forward in this exasperating season.
