Purdue’s Painter not getting notice as top Big Ten QB

He’s averaging 300 yards a game and has 18 touchdown passes in five games.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Purdue’s Curtis Painter has compiled the kind of statistics that normally would qualify for Heisman Trophy watch lists — more than 300 yards per game with 18 touchdown passes and just three interceptions in five games.

But Painter is relatively unknown because he’s never led the Boilermakers past a ranked team. He figures the average college football fan probably hasn’t heard of him, and he understands why.

“I think from a personal standpoint, you have to be good against good teams,” the junior said. “If you throw for a million yards against a team that’s 0-10, that doesn’t give you much credibility.”

Faces Buckeyes Saturday

Painter could become a household name Saturday night when No. 23 Purdue plays host to No. 4 Ohio State. He also could start to be discussed with the likes of recent Purdue passers Drew Brees and Kyle Orton and past stars such as Mike Phipps, Bob Griese, Len Dawson and Jim Everett.

“From this point forward, we’ll really see ultimately what kind of a quarterback he’ll be, and what kind of a label will be put on Curtis Painter,” Purdue coach Joe Tiller said.

Painter has been successful in many ways. He’s 16-8 as a starter since he was pushed into the lineup midway through his freshman year. As a sophomore, he gained more than 400 total yards three times, was Big Ten Player of the Week twice and threw for a Big Ten-record 3,985 yards.

This year, he’s among the nation’s leaders in passing yards and touchdowns. He was named Big Ten Player of the Week after completing 38-of-49 passes for 348 yards and six touchdowns in a 52-6 win over Central Michigan.

Tressel impressed

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel is impressed.

“He’s got great command of what they do, a tremendously quick release, great touch when he needs it, and he’ll kill you with the run when they need it,” Tressel said.

Painter’s eye-popping yardage numbers last season were offset by a national-high 19 interceptions. Tiller said Painter has made great strides in that area.

“This year is his first year of him having a real complete understanding of the game, so I think he’s better mentally now than he has been at any time in his career,” Tiller said.

Painter has the physical tools, too — he’s 6-foot-4, weighs 223 pounds, is mobile and has a cannon for a right arm. He says he bench presses 360 pounds, a strength that many times has allowed him to throw the ball with defenders draped over him.

“He just brings so much confidence and so much experience and toughness,” Tressel said. “You don’t throw that many balls and get hit that many times in a career without being tough.”

Talented receivers

Painter throws to what Tiller has called the most talented receiving corps he has coached in 11 years at the school. Wide receivers Dorien Bryant, Selwyn Lymon and Greg Orton and tight end Dustin Keller each have at least 16 catches and two touchdowns.

Bryant, a 5-9 speedster, has 40 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns. Keller, who Tiller compares to Dallas Clark of the Indianapolis Colts, has 20 catches for 319 yards and five scores.

“I think Dustin Keller is arguably the best receiving tight end in the country,” Tiller said before the Boilermakers beat Notre Dame 33-19 last Saturday.

“I think that Dorien Bryant, based on productivity, can match positively with any receiver in the country.”

There likely are few who could support Tiller’s claim outside of the Midwest. Painter said he doesn’t care about recognition, but he wouldn’t mind getting some in the context of winning.

“Hopefully, I’ll continue to grow, and maybe I will leave a little bit of a mark here,” he said.