First football games are supposed to be easy. But Michigan fans will disagree. After all, it was a small team like Appalachian State who beat them in Ann Arbor for the 2007 Wolverine season opener. Okay, lightning strikes are rare and it happened in Ann Arbor last year. Don't count on it happening in Ross Ade Stadium when Purdue opens up against Northern Colorado.
Northern Colorado is no Appalachian State. This is a team that didn't win many games the last few years and is picked to finish last in the Big Sky Conference. For the first time under center for Northern Colorado is quarterback Brian Waggenerer, a transfer from the University of Florida. The team hopes Waggenerer will light an offensive fuse and improve on last year's dismal record. He's got a big target to throw to. Tight end Ryan Chesla was a favorite target during pre season scrimmages. Add to that a health offensive line, and Purdue will have a good tune up before Oregon the following week.
The real reason for this match could be entertaining is because this game matches a student versus a teacher. You see, Northern Colorado Coach Scott Downing spent six seasons, 1997-2002, as the assistant head coach and running backs and special teams coach at Purdue under head coach Joe Tiller. But this wasn't the first time the two worked together. Oh no. Downing also spend 10 seasons (1987-96) at the University of Wyoming, where the final six were under Tiller. There isn't a coach out there who would love to beat the man who mentored him. Who could forget the famous games between Michigan's Bo Schembachler who was mentored by Ohio State's Woody Hayes? If this game has any story line, it will be student versus teacher.
Great story line but I think the conclusion is as predictable as a weekly television police drama. The mystery will be solved, the bad guys thrown in jail and the police will gather at the bar afterwards. Yes, Boilers, this game is a mere scrimmage to bigger games in the weeks to come. Enjoy the air show since Curtis Painter will be throwing the ball all day to break in new receivers.
Melissa Haro
Ashley Allen
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