This post is sponsored by RO*TEL
You may be wondering why I am posting about RO*TEL. Well, other than producing a fine product that is excellent for more than just queso dip, They are also having a great contest that you might be interested in entering. By following the link above, you can Free groceries for a year and at trip for 2 to any college football game in 2011. This includes bowl games. So if you have a great desire to go to Detroit, Purdue could be there waiting for you.
The Trip package includes roundtrip air, two nights hotel, two game tickets, a $200 team store gift card, and $500 spending money. There are also 10 weekly $100 winners for 12 weeks. All details can be found at RO*TEL's contest site.
Of course, as an official sponsor of the Big Ten on the Big Ten Network, RO*TEL is aware of the great players we have in the conference. As an additional part of their sweepstakes they are giving away a different legend's autographed jersey each week. One such guy trying to make his own legend is our own Ryan Kerrigan.
I heard a great description of Kerrigan's ability at the Ball state game last weekend. Someone said that we should get used to not getting holding calls, because that is the only way anyone is going to stop him this year.
Kerrigan came into this season tied for fifth on Purdue's all-time sacks list with 21. He also had nine forced fumbles in his career. After just three games he has climbed further up the list. His two additional forced fumbles have put him within range of the Big Ten record. His 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles last season led the Big Ten in each category. He has added three more sacks to his total and leads the Big Ten with 8.5 tackles for loss.
In high school Kerrigan was a pretty decent tight end, catching 40 passes for 789 yards and six scores as a senior. On the defensive side of the ball he was an absolute rampaging beast with 90 tackles and an astounding 19 sacks as a senior. He also helped Muncie Central's basketball team to back-to-back state runner-up finishes to Lawrence North and some guy named Greg Oden.
I don't think it is a coincidence that Kerrigan has some basketball in his past and he is now one of the best defensive ends in the country. Being a post player in basketball is all about positioning and leverage, which is critical when you're trying to get past a hulking 360 pound offensive tackle.
Kerrigan has a history with Terrelle Pryor. In the last two games against Ohio State, Ryan has owned him to the tune of five sacks, a couple of forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Kerrigan is likely Purdue's best shot at having a first round draft pick if he can recover from the foot injury that has sidelined him since last year's Indiana game. He has the potential for an All-American type of season after being named All-Big Ten a year ago. He was also an academic All-Big Ten selection and 2nd team Academic All-American as a math education major.