Tomorrow is Senior Day in West Lafayette, and that means we say goodbye to a senior class that hopefully has three games left in them. They can clinch a third remaining game as long as we beat Our Most Hated Rival in the Hawkeyes. Almost none of these players know what it is like to play in the postseason. With it being their final game at Ross-Ade Stadium, here is a quick look at our departing seniors:
Kevin Ballinger - Long Snapper - He is the resident blogger and one of the funniest personalities on the team. As a walk-on, he looked for a way to make it to the field and found it via long-snapping, taking over for John Finch this year. If you haven't heard of him before now that is a good thing because it means he hasn't screwed up any snaps.
Dan Barry - Offensive Guard - Barry is another walk-on that has seen limited playing time, appearing only against Indiana last year as a reserve.
Adam Brockman - Defensive End - Brockman has played mostly on special teams since transferring from Eastern Michigan. He has twice been an Academic All-Big Ten selection.
Chris Carlino - Linebacker - Captain Morgan! The pirate-looking linebacker has moved from former defensive starter to special teams ace. He clearly has the best hair and beard on the team.
Jared Crank - Fullback - Crank has been around forever, but he is in the right position because he has a fullback's name. This year he has been an excellent lead blocker and solid ball-carrier that has evolved into a great goal-line threat with both of his receptions going for touchdowns.
Spencer Dawson - Quarterback - He'll likely finish his career as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in Purdue history, leading a touchdown drive late in the Southeast Missouri State game.
Albert Evans - Safety - He has battled injury, but has evolved into a solid safety and one of our most experienced players on the defense. His best play of the year was a 55-yard return after an interception at Penn State.
Gerald Gooden - Defensive End - Gooden has been a steady defensive end that performs well against the run. Like so many on this list, he has become one of our most experienced players on defense.
Waynelle Gravesande - Wide Receiver - He has never been a flashy receiver, but he has been very effective on short routes and has excelled as a punt returner because of his sure hands.
DeVarro Greaves - Linebacker - Greaves has mostly seen time on special teams, where he is good in kickoff coverage.
Joe Holland - Linebacker - Holland is one of our best defenders with 74 tackles and he leads the team in starts. He has started since his redshirt freshman season after converting from safety.
Dennis Kelly - Offensive Tackle - Kelly has been the line's anchor for four years now, protecting the blindside of a half dozen quarterbacks in that time.
Kurt Lichtenberg - Wide Receiver - The walk-on has played a lot on special teams and has even seen a few snaps at receiver this year. He also has been a major contributor off the field with several missions trips to Haiti and South Africa.
Logan Link - Safety - Another former walk-on who, quite frankly, has worked his ass off to earn a starting job and a scholarship. He has 49 tackles this year.
Robert Marve - Quarterback - Is this his last game? He will apply for a 6th year of eligibility. He hasn't had much of a chance to fulfill his vast potential, but his memorable win last week against Ohio State will always endear him to Purdue fans.
Sean Matti - Running Back - Tragically, Sean lost his life this summer in a swimming accident, and he has been profiled here thanks to his family. The Matti family will be in attendance tomorrow, and I will be wearing my Matti memorial shirt. We need to win to get another game for Sean's Season.
Nick Mondek - Offensive Tackle - Mondek made the move from offense to defense and has been solid on the line.
Austin Moret - Center - Austin has been another walk-on that has earned a lot of special teams time and has been a solid offensive line reserve.
Brad Niemeier - Defensive Tackle - A walk-on that, to my knowledge, hasn't played this year unless he saw time in the SEMO or Minnesota blowouts.
Ken Plue - Offensive Guard - Another player that might be back? He has been on ultra-secret probation and, since he never redshirted, could come back next season as a key offensive line starter if he continues to not play.
James Shepherd - Offensive Guard - A former Tiller recruit that hasn't played a lot, but has been a key offensive line reserve.
Justin Siller - Wide Receiver - Siller has been all over the map, missing a year because of academic issues, then moving from quarterback to running back, back to quarterback, to wide receiver, and now the Wild Siller. He's the most persistent player on the team.
Carson Wiggs - Kicker - I met Carson during the spring game and at media days. He's one of the most likable kids on the team and I really hope an NFL team gives him a shot.
Charlton Williams - Cornerback - Charlton is the only player on the roster to know what a bowl game is like. He played in 2007 before redshirting in 2008. That means he played in the 2007 Motor City Bowl. Other players have moved ahead of him on the depth chart, but he has been one of the top reserve corners on the roster.
Thank you, seniors for your dedication to Purdue. You are forever part of the Boilermaker family.