11 Days to Purdue Football: David Blough and Antoine Miles

As we get inside the last two weeks of this countdown we start to see more and more players that are expected to play large minutes. That is true of today’s two players:

David Blough – So.

Carrollton, TX (Creekview HS)

6’1”, 200 pounds

Quarterback

2016 Projection: Starter at quarterback

Is this the breakout year for Blough, or is he merely the next quarterback casualty? As mentioned yesterday, Purdue has not had the same starting quarterback in consecutive opening games of a season since Curtis Painter in 2008. Blough was named the opening day starter and has shown some promise, but is still 1-7 as a starter.

He is de-Shooped this year, and that should help. He was clearly The Guy in fall camp and there is reason to believe that if he is protected by the ramshackle offensive line he can thrive. Last season he threw for 1,574 yards and 10 TDs against 8 INTs. He also had 94 yards and 4 TDs on the ground.

I desperately want Blough to be the guy that settles the QB position. He seems like a nice kid and a good leader. I think his success this season is not based so much on what he does, but how well his line can protect him.

Antoine Miles – Jr.

Canton, OH (McKinley HS)

6’3”, 248 pounds

Rush End

2016 Projection: Contributor at Rush End

Miles only had 28 tackles last season in his first career action, but he led the team with four sacks. His biggest game was against Indiana State where he had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble. After notching three sacks in the first two games he only had one more the rest of the season.

Like every other defensive end on the roster, Purdue is looking for him to be a pass rushing answer. He is one of several guys that will get his chance to seize the job as a starter.