No. 9 Purdue receiver: Vinny Sutherland
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Vinny Sutherland was one of Drew Brees’ most dangerous big-play threats.
“It seemed like he was shot out of a cannon when he was on the field,” Doug Griffiths, Indy Sports Legends correspondent and former Gold and Black editor, said. “One of the fastest players to ever play the position at Purdue. He had a knack for getting behind defenses.”
Sutherland gained 1,014 yards on 72 catches in 2000, his senior year. He finished his career with 176 catches (8th in school history) for 2,370 yards (5th) and 25 touchdowns (4th).
“He was the master of the bubble screen, probably ran it as well as any player we’ve had,” Purdue play-by-play man Tim Newton said. “Those short, choppy strides could cover a lot of distance in a short period of time.”
It wasn’t all about the big plays, though.
“If people took away the deep ball, he and Brees would team up and carve defenses with simple out routes,” Griffiths said.
Here is video of a touchdown reception by Sutherland against Ohio State in 2000. Video by YouTube username KatsTMill.
