Purdue: 'We're not going to overlook' NIU

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Purdue coach Danny Hope insists there is no way his team will ignore Northern Illinois on Saturday, even though the Boilermakers play in-state rival Notre Dame the next week.

Hope listed plenty of reasons for Purdue to respect Northern Illinois, a Mid-American Conference team that doesn't mind mixing it up with BCS schools.

The Huskies (1-1) gave Tennessee a game last year before losing 13-9. This season, the Huskies were competitive in a 28-20 loss to Wisconsin.

"They've played well against some of the best teams in the country the last couple of years," Hope said. "Last year, they were a better football team than us because they went to a bowl game and we didn't. Certainly we weren't going to overlook them."

Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill respects Purdue as well. He's noticed that the Boilermakers (1-1) have averaged 44 points and 493 yards in their first two games.

"They're very multiple on offense, and very explosive," he said. "It's led by a very good offensive line, very big and very talented. So we definitely have our work cut out for us on defense."

The Huskies know that to have a chance, they'll need to slow Purdue's Ralph Bolden, the nation's leading rusher. Bolden has 357 yards rushing and four touchdowns.

"We have a tremendous challenge ahead of us," Kill said. "We are going against the best running back in the nation at this point in time. Purdue's been a team in the past, under (former) coach (Joe) Tiller, that has thrown the ball a little more, so I think it's caught people off guard."

Purdue is coming off a 38-36 loss at Oregon. The Boilermakers scored with about a minute to play, but Kyle Adams caught Joey Elliott's two-point conversion pass out of bounds. The Boilermakers feel good about the strong performance in their first road game.

"If we can minimize just a few mistakes, we could have won that game hands down," Hope said. "So we acknowledge that, and realize that we can be a pretty good football team. I think we walked away with a little bit of confidence."

Much of the confidence comes from Purdue's ability to move the ball.

Elliott is growing into his role as a starter. The fifth-year senior has passed for 486 yards and four touchdowns, though he has thrown five interceptions.

Purdue's top receiver is Keith Smith. The slot receiver has 12 catches for 185 yards. Aaron Valentin has 11 catches for 100 yards.

Though Purdue has something to prove after letting the Oregon game slip away, Northern Illinois also has much to gain with a win. Purdue is the second Big Ten team on the Huskies' schedule, and they nearly beat the first one.

Wisconsin led 28-6 early in the fourth quarter before the Huskies rallied. Northern Illinois scored with 2:47 left to cut their deficit to 28-20, then recovered an onside kick and drove to the Wisconsin 36-yard line before stalling.

Once Wisconsin got the ball back, the Badgers ran out the clock.

"Against Wisconsin, we kind of dug ourselves into a hole and we had to make a comeback," Northern Illinois linebacker Pat Schiller said. "This week will be a good opportunity for us to show what we can do and what we're capable of doing."

Kill believes the experience in Madison should help in West Lafayette.

"I thought that we handled Wisconsin pretty good, to be honest with you," he said. "My understanding is, the people that have played at Purdue say it is very loud. I think we'll prepare similarly to what we did for Wisconsin."

If Northern Illinois matches Purdue's offense, it likely will be because its running backs were successful. Me'co Brown has rushed for 181 yards, and Chad Spann has four touchdowns on 17 carries.

"I think that Me'co has done well, but I think Chad Spann has done really well," Kill said. "I think that both of those kids have done a good job, they complement each other. We feel good about that position right now."

The Mid-American Conference got a win against the Big Ten last week when Central Michigan beat Michigan State 29-27.

The Big Ten barely won two other games against MAC teams last week. Northwestern held off Eastern Michigan by a field goal and Indiana edged Western Michigan by four. Northern Illinois figures it's time to get its signature win.

"It's tough," Schiller said. "We keep almost getting a victory. We just want to win now. We're always a touchdown away from winning. It's frustrating because we're so close. It's all about finishing."