Austin Appleby named Purdue’s quarterback

The biggest surprise Tuesday wasn’t that Austin Appleby earned Purdue’s starting quarterback job, but he referenced the 1980’s song “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” by Wang Chung.

We now know more about Appleby’s personality.

“I talk about having a process when I’m out there, letting it all hang loose and have fun and Wang Chung, as the song goes,” said Appleby, who held off competition from redshirt freshman David Blough. “Just going to go out there and have fun and play free. There’s no reason to get tight or, ‘Oh no, here we go.’ I’m playing football. Guys would kill to do what I’m doing. This is my dream.”

His dream picks up where last season ended. Appleby started the final seven games in 2014, winning his debut at Illinois in October but the Boilermakers ended the season on a six-game losing streak.

Appleby is all about being free, having no inhibition or self-doubt. He won’t look over his shoulder. His approach – relax and live for the moment. His teammates gravitated toward him, creating a newfound energy and enthusiasm that was missing in the early part of last season.

The goal is for Appleby to provide stability to a recently unstable position.

In the last two seasons, Darrell Hazell has changed starting quarterbacks after five games based on performance. Appleby benefited from the switch last year when he replaced Danny Etling, who has since transferred to Louisiana State. Rob Henry was replaced by Etling in 2013.

Purdue needs the same quarterback who starts the season to be there in October and again in November when Indiana visits for the Old Oaken Bucket game.

“I hope it’s because I’ve got teammates that trust me. I think I have coaches that trust in me,” Appleby said. “I’ve put in the work on the field, in the film room and in the weight room. I feel like I’ve been groomed to do this since I was very young. This is the only thing I want to do.”

Appleby ended last season No. 1, started spring practice atop the depth chart and remained in the same position throughout summer workouts and training camp.

He has good chemistry with the offensive line. For the most part, the line is the same group that ended the 2014 season and the continuity they established with Appleby should still exist as Purdue embarks on an important season.

Appleby’s awareness of game situations is an area that continues to improve.

“I think he’s so much better at understanding everything around him,” coach Darrell Hazell said. “My message to Austin was he has to think like the head coach. The big picture. Situational football, red zone, coming off the goal line, understanding if it’s third-and-long get us to a fourth-and-short so we can go for it. I think that’s where he’s made strides.”

No one is expecting Appleby to completed 30 of 30 passes every game. He’ll miss plays – all quarterbacks do – but failing to connect on the makeable plays will hold this offense back.

“We’re going to have some guys get open and when they get open- we sometimes mix our sport metaphors – you can’t miss the belt high fastball; you have to drive that one. You can’t miss the open jump shot; you’ve got to nail that one. When you’ve got a guy come open at 20 yards, you have to hit him at 20 yards. When you’ve got a guy come open at five (yards), you’ve got to hit him at five,” offensive coordinator John Shoop said.

“Nobody is going to ask Austin or any of our quarterbacks to do anything spectacular. It’s just the mental endurance and the grind of making every single play. He can make every throw that we’re asking him.”

Appleby expected to win the job, saying as much after Saturday’s jersey scrimmage. Being informed Tuesday morning by Hazell didn’t change his approach.

“It’s been business as usual,” he said. “I’m glad it’s official and now I can focus on getting this team ready to be 1-0.”

Ezechukwu update

Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said linebacker Danny Ezechukwu suffered an MCL injury to his right knee during Saturday’s jersey scrimmage.

Hazell said Ezechukwu is expected to resume practicing Tuesday, Sept. 1, as the Boilermakers continue preparations for the season opener at Marshall.

“He’s better than what we thought,” Hazell said. “That’s great news.”

Ezechukwu, Ja’Whaun Bentley (side) and Jimmy Herman (hamstring) didn’t practice Tuesday but are expected to play in the opener.