Yesterday was about the slowest day for Purdue news that I have had this entire summer. We're not like UCLA, where football recruits are stealing purses. LewJack and John Hart didn't have much interesting on the Twitter feed. We didn't even have a number 66 on the roster to profile. As a result, I was able to do two big job interviews, complete some work for my newspaper job, and work on a few new featured articles for next week.

Today I can resume the countdown though, as Austen Moret is the next player up on the countdown. He gets to stay on the site for an extra day as there is no #64, either. As a side note, I like how we have no #66, #64, #69, or #99, but we have two of a bunch of other numbers. We also no longer have a #81 with Chevin Davis unlikely to make it by not graduating high school.   

Austin Moret - Jr.

Hometown: Whitefish Bay, WI (Whitefish Bay HS)

Center

6'2", 293 pounds

2010 Projection: Contributor on Special Teams, possible starter at center

After doing some research on Moret I see he is the type of player I love because he has worked hard to earn his place as a regular contributor on special teams. He redshirted during the 2007 after joining the team as a walk-on.  In high school he played on both the offensive and defensive lines at Whitefish Bay, earning a scholar athlete nomination in the state of Wisconsin. Since coming to Purdue the management major has managed to appear in 13 games on special teams.

He played in the 2008 season opener against Northern Colorado when the only people who didn't play were me and a popcorn vendor in section 115. Last year he appeared in all 12 games while recording a special teams tackle against Northern Illinois. It remains to be seen what his role will be this season. Coach Hope has mentioned how more starters will possibly play on special teams, but Moret may be able to keep his role because of his experience at the position. Coach Hope also mentioned that Moret might win a starting job at center for his toughness, beating out Andrew Brewer and Rick Schmeig.

Moret has seen quite a few of his teammates in recent years. He helped Whitefish Bay to a solid season as the Blue Dukes gave up the fewest yards in their conference during the 2005 high school season. Indiana punter Chris Hagerup and Central Michigan defender Nick Bellore were among his high school teammates.

Boilermakings Notes after The Jump

Purdue at Notre Dame: A must-watch game on opening weekend – College Gridiron 365 Blog – Orlando Sentinel
I don't know what to think of this, as this paper has made crazy predictions before. First they named us preseason #1 in 2005, and now they think Notre Dame can actually wake up the echoes. Neither is likely to happen again.

NCAA committee to debate 68-team tourney format - ESPN
I don't envy the committee for trying to figure out the mess they've created. As I have stated before, they should have 32 automatic bids, 32 at large, and a rule that no team with a losing conference record is eligible unless they win the conference tournament.

Summer Bowl Projections - The Rivalry, Esq.
The Rivalry picks us as a 7-win team facing Oklahoma State in the Insight Bowl. That would be a nice preview of our home and home with the Cowboys in a few years.