Purdue Boilermakers coach Darrell Hazell has announced that junior Austin Appleby will be the team’s starting quarterback. Mike Carmin of the Lafayette Journal & Courier reported the announcement on Twitter.
Darrell Hazell says Austin Appleby will start at QB for #Purdue
— mike carmin (@carmin_jc) August 25, 2015
Appleby started the 2014 season as Purdue’s backup before eventually supplanting Danny Etling and never looking back. Etling transferred to LSU in the fall, thus really making the job Appleby’s to lose to either David Blough or Elijah Sindelar. In 10 games last season, Appleby threw for 1,449 yards, 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while also adding 198 yards and five scores on the ground.
Though he went 1-7 as a starter, Purdue still finished 3-9 (1-7 Big Ten) in its second season under Hazell, a step forward from the first. In 2013, the Boilermakers were 1-11 and did not win a single conference game.
Given how Appleby has the size for quarterback at 6-foot-5, 239 pounds and has starting experience, he really is the best man for the job despite his track record. Hopefully, he can help right the ship further and bring Purdue its first winning season since 2011.
Purdue opens the season on the road against Marshall on September 5.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
