Purdue has named its starting quarterback for the 2014 season, and it should come as no surprise. Sophomore Danny Etling, after moving into the role final five games into the 2013 season for the Boilermakers, has been given the starting job to open the 2014 season by head coach Darrell Hazell. Hazell made the announcement on Monday.
Last season Etling appeared in eight games and he led the team with 1,690 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. Etling beat Austin Appleby and David Blough for the starting job under center. Appleby will likely be Purdue’s top backup quarterback this season, while the possibility of redshirting Blough continues to be discussed.
Etling and Purdue have a good amount of work to do before thinking about making any sort fo a run in the Big Ten, which is a rarity for the Boilermakers. Purdue is expected to be one of the teams on the bottom of the Big Ten this season, but if the offensive line can find any stability and protect Etling, a former four-star pro-style recruit, the foundation for some success on offense could be developed with Etling at the helm.