Like OSU, Purdue has dealt with QB issues
BY JIMMIE TRAMEL World Sports Writer
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
12/05/12 at 5:31 AM
Here's what Oklahoma State and Purdue have in common: Both programs used three quarterbacks en route to the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
And one of Purdue's quarterbacks reportedly once was coveted by the Cowboys.
Of course, OSU started three quarterbacks during a 7-5 season in which the Cowboys shared third place in the Big 12.
Wes Lunt started five games in an injury-sabotaged rookie year, redshirt freshman J.W. Walsh started three games before sustaining what was prematurely deemed a season-ending injury, and junior Clint Chelf started the final four games.
Purdue's quarterback situation was similarly turbulent.
- Caleb TerBush started every game in 2011 and was named the starter after fall camp. A violation of team rules caused him to be suspended for a season-opener against FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky. Robert Marve started in his stead.
- TerBush started the following game against Notre Dame, but was replaced (by design) by Marve in the second quarter. Both played after halftime, and Marve tore an ACL for the third time.
- TerBush started the next seven games and Marve, despite his injury, managed to be a relief pitcher in six of the games.
- Like Chelf, Marve was promoted to starter for the last four games. Marve hit 63-of-88 passes for 792 yards, seven TDs and one interception during a season-ending three-game winning streak that clinched bowl eligibility for the 6-6 Boilermakers.
- A third quarterback, Rob Henry, was named the starter after fall camp in 2011, but tore an ACL a week before the season started. He is an athletic quarterback who is utilized more in the run game, especially since Marve is playing on a knee that will require reconstructive surgery this season.
Henry made appearances in all 11 games and plays on a situational basis, like Walsh has done since Chelf was promoted to starter.
Which of Purdue's quarterbacks perhaps could have been an OSU quarterback?
Marve started his college career at Miami, Fla., starting 11 games for the Hurricanes as a redshirt freshman in 2008. He had off-the-field issues and needed a fresh start elsewhere.
According to published reports, OSU coach Mike Gundy flew to Florida in January 2009 to check out Marve. If Marve had come to Stillwater, he would have been eligible in time to compete with Brandon Weeden for the starting job in 2010.
But Marve's father Eugene, a former NFL linebacker, told the Miami Herald that the Cowboys lost interest in his son after receiving "negative feedback" from Miami coaches. The dad told the newspaper his son was "very hurt" by what had occurred.
From a physical standpoint, Marve has been hurt enough (he was injured in a car accident before playing at Miami) that he was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. He'll play the final game of his career against a team that, once upon his time, might have been his team.
Original Print Headline: Purdue has dealt with QB issues
Jimmie Tramel 918-581-8389
jimmie.tramel@tulsaworld.com
