The Basics:
Name: Curtis Painter
Number: 12
Height: 6-4
Weight: 230 lbs.
Class: Senior
The Lowdown:
Fifth-year senior Curtis Painter has ably carried on Purdue’s proud quarterback tradition—a tradition that actually dates back to the 1960s (think Bob Griese) but has grown ever stronger under the leadership of coach Joe Tiller. Tiller has in his decade leading the Boilermakers shown a knack for finding, then developing, strong-armed, smart, tough quarterbacks, and Painter fits right in. In fact, Painter may be Tiller’s best quarterback not named Drew Brees. Which is why, even in the rough-and-tumble, defense-oriented Big Ten, Painter has managed to put up truly gaudy numbers.
By The Numbers:
In just under three seasons’ worth of starts, Painter has thrown for 8,763 yards and 54 touchdowns, good enough for fourth on the all-time Purdue list in both categories. He boasts a career completion percentage of .599 and a career quarterback rating of 126.4. He’s posted ten 300-yard passing games, two 400-yard games and one 500-yard game. In 2006, Painter threw for 3,985 yards, breaking Brees’ Big Ten single-season passing record of 3,983.
Career Highlight:
Purdue couldn’t have been pleased landing in the Motor City Bowl last season, but at least Painter made the most of it. He put on a passing clinic against Central Michigan, completing 35 of 54 passes for 546 yards and three touchdowns in Purdue’s 51-48 win. The Boilers finished 8-5 on the year.
2008 Outlook:
Painter loses his two favorite targets, receiver Dorien Bryant and tight end Dustin Keller, to graduation. But no matter: Tilller knows offense and Painter has talent. Somehow, someway, this offense is going to move the ball -- probably through the air. A good indication of how good, or not, the Boilers will be will come in Week 2, when they welcome the Oregon Ducks to West Lafayette. Their trip two weeks later to South Bend should be one to watch, too. The Irish think their secondary will be the strength of their 2008 defense; it will be interesting to see, then, what Painter can do against it.
