Purdue uncertain at running back heading into opener with W. Illinois

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue's running back situation remains unclear heading into Saturday's home opener against Western Illinois.

Ralph Bolden is out indefinitely while he recovers from ACL surgery. Al-Terek McBurse was expected to start last Saturday against Notre Dame, but he played a limited role because of a nagging knee injury.

Dan Dierking got the start against the Irish and the senior finished with nine carries for 56 yards and five catches for 28 yards in the 23-12 loss.

"He did everything we asked him to do," coach Danny Hope said. "There's a couple guys that might be a bit bigger or faster, but he's really, really tough. He's a good football player."

Hope said Dierking does the little things right.

"Right now, he's our best overall running back as far as knowing what to do and relying on him as a blocker and timing and ball security and all the things that you want your running back to do," he said.

Dierking's toughness earned him a spot as a team captain. However, he lacks McBurse's burst and Purdue's offense sorely lacked big plays on Saturday. Purdue's longest gain was a 23-yard touchdown run by quarterback Robert Marve, and its longest pass completion was just 16 yards. Overall, Purdue gained just 102 yards on 32 rushing attempts.

McBurse, a 6-foot, 193-pound sophomore, was one of Purdue's top recruits from Florida two years ago. He returned kickoffs last year, but was promoted to the top of the depth chart after Bolden's injury.

Hope said McBurse hasn't been at his best lately.

"He's had some things that have set him back," Hope said. "They're not defects of character. They're injuries, and it's tough to get better when you're hurt. Tough to get better when you can't practice."

Hope spoke glowingly of McBurse throughout the offseason and still expects big things from him.

"We have a commitment to Al-Terek, expect him to play well and expect him to be one of our top playmakers on offense this year," Hope said.

Even if McBurse starts, others will be involved. Receiver Antavian Edison, fullback Jared Crank and backup quarterback Rob Henry got some carries against Notre Dame.

Hope has been positive about Reggie Pegram throughout camp. The 5-foot-11, 222-pound freshman from Dallas did not carry the ball against Notre Dame and Hope didn't say whether Pegram would get some carries on Saturday. Hope said he's behind McBurse, Dierking and Crank in the pecking order.

Henry was in for four plays, and ran on three of them for 16 yards. Hope said he planned to use Henry more as a passer on Saturday.

At times last Saturday, Marve looked like Purdue's best running threat.

"Anytime you move Robert out of the pocket it can be a good thing because it shrinks down the field and gives you less to look at, and also has a run option which is a really good thing," Hope said.