Stability key in Purdue quarterback decision

Welcome to Darrell Hazell's most important decision in his Purdue tenure.

Who is going to start at quarterback during the 2015 season?

Hazell has to make the right call. So much is riding on it.

What transpired in the 15 practices, including Saturday's spring game, didn't lead to Hazell announcing his starter for the Sept. 6 opener at Marshall. Even if Hazell knows, he's not telling.

"I don't know if we are or we aren't," Hazell said when asked if he was closer to determining the No. 1 quarterback.

Smoke screen or is Hazell unclear?

During Hazell's first two seasons, the Boilermakers changed quarterbacks because of performance. Rob Henry gave way to Danny Etling, who then started last season before Austin Appleby came in relief.

He can't afford to make another change midway through 2015, based on performance alone.

An injury is one thing. Playing musical chairs with quarterbacks because they aren't performing is a trend that needs to end if this program is ever going to pull itself out of the Big Ten basement.

Receivers have to step up, battle though tight coverage and help stretch the field. The running game has to click at a high level for it all to work, regardless of who is under center.

Spring practice told us Appleby did enough to exit No. 1 on the depth chart but by how much? That's where he ended the 2014 season. No one should be surprised if Appleby began next season in the same spot.

When he started the last final seven games last season, he not only brought the offense together but the locker room. Players gravitate toward Appleby. He has mobility, evident last season and again Saturday on the 59-yard touchdown to Trae Hart.

David Blough, though, remains an intriguing option.

He started spring practice slow, admitting he put too much pressure on himself. He settled down and cut down on the turnovers. He's flashy, exciting and a thrill-a-minute rollercoaster ride.

He escaped trouble Saturday. On his 11-yard touchdown pass to Myles Norwood, Blough scrambled, nearly reaching the line of scrimmage but back peddled and avoided the defense, hitting Norwood in the corner of the end zone. It was the classic play of making something out of nothing.

Danny Etling has started 12 games in two seasons, but has his confidence improved after last year? Freshman Elijah Sindelar has to play catch up in the fall after missing the spring because of knee surgery.

"Hopefully, it's not like a Rubix's Cube," Hazell said of the final decision.

It's time the Cradle of Quarterbacks becomes a stable position again. The fans need it for their long-term survival. The instability was here before Hazell arrived, but it's time to stop adding to it.

Carmin covers Purdue football for the Journal & Courier. Contact him at mcarmin@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @carminjc