Purdue Boilermakers QB Joey Elliott 2009 College Football Interview with 2010 NFL Draft Quotes

Statistically speaking, Joey Elliott's 2009 season ended on a high note. The Purdue University quarterback led the Boilermakers to four wins in his final six contests; he finished first in the Big Ten Conference in passing with 252.2 yards per game; and the redshirt senior tossed 22 touchdowns.

In his final three games, Elliott passed for 945 yards and connected on eight of his 22 touchdowns. Plus, the quarterback become only the fourth player in the history of the program to throw for 3,000+ yards in his first season as a starter. Included on this list are current NFL superstar Drew Brees and the Indianapolis Colts backup Curtis Painter, the quarterback who played in front of Elliott for three seasons.

More important than stats, Elliott quarterbacked the Boilermakers to several historic victories. Big Ten Conference wins came against a top-ten opponent (Ohio State Buckeyes) and on the road (Michigan Wolverines). The win at the Big House, Michigan's stadium, was the first for the Boilermakers since 1966. One has to go back to 2000 to find the last time Purdue defeated both Ohio State and Michigan in the same season.

The win against then No. 7 Ohio State snapped an early-season losing streak, including devastating losses at Pac-10 champion Oregon and at home to Norte Dame, that left the football team reeling.

"I wish the ball would have bounced our way during the 2009 season," Elliott said. "We were really close to being a surprise team during 2009."

Against the Buckeyes, Elliott threw for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps the game's most crucial play came when Elliott focused in on Keith Smith and connected with the wide receiver down the middle of the field just prior to halftime.

"It was a huge play," Elliott said. "The catch allowed us to get 3 points and take the lead."

Kicker Carson Wiggs hit from 55 yards out to give the Boilermakers a 9-7 advantage. Elliott and his teammates then staved off an Ohio State rally in the second half for a 26-18 victory.

"Beating Ohio State was huge because after so many close losses we needed a win," the quarterback said. "The celebration was like a rock was lifting off our backs."

Elliott’s collegiate career ended at Indiana as Purdue retained the Old Oaken Bucket, a trophy prized by both schools, with a 38-21 win against their in-state rival. The quarterback completed the afternoon match-up against the Hoosiers with four touchdown passes.

"The Bucket game is a rivalry that dates way back," Elliott said. "Growing up in Indiana I knew all about it. The records are thrown out the window and you are playing for PRIDE."

Up next, Elliott hopes to make an impression with a NFL team in 2010.

"Every college kid wants to fill the shoes of a NFL player," Elliott said. "I will do anything and everything to make that dream come true."

He should land in an NFL camp this spring as he looks to join the list of Purdue quarterbacks who have played at the professional level.

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Joey Elliott

Photo Credit: Purdue Athletics

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Notre Dame WR Golden Tate profile prior to 2010 NFL Draft

Former Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate looks back through his collegiate career and pinpoints his first receiving touchdown as his most memorable play.

Interesting, considering that in 2009, Tate performed at an exceptional level, adding numerous memorable plays to his game film. At the conclusion of his Notre Dame career, however, the wide receiver reflects on that first touchdown in 2007, a 25-yard pass from Evan Sharpley against the Purdue Boilermakers.

"My first touchdown at Notre Dame is my signature moment," said Tate. "The coach had confidence in me and put me in. That is where it all started."

Tate was recently named the 2009 Biletnikoff award winner. The award is given to the nation's top collegiate receiver. "It's a great award, to be listed with those receivers," Tate said.

Now that he has announced his intention to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, preparations for playing at the professional level are up next.

"I will start interviewing with agencies soon," Tate said. "After that, I’ll set up with a training facility to get ready for the next level. I want to work on my speed and get faster."

The two-sport athlete at Notre Dame agrees that playing on the Irish baseball team aided in honing his receiving skills. "Baseball helped me a lot," Tate said, "I learned to catch the ball at the highest point. It’s been a big help."

Golden Tate achieved at the highest level at Notre Dame and is ready to begin a new chapter in the NFL. "I am excited," Tate said. "I want to do well at the next level."

This interview is also online at the NBC Sports website College Football Talk and can be found via the link -- A conversation with... Golden Tate

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Lydell Sargeant: 2009 NFL Combine Interview

Cornerback Lydell Sargeant is one of several Penn State Nittany Lions who will be attending the NFL Combine beginning today and running through February 24th.

The senior not only found success on the field as one of the country's top defensive backs, but Sargeant was a key member in the political arena also. He was one of the leaders of Penn State Vote, which encouraged students to vote in the election last November.

Last spring, Sargeant wasn't preparing for the NFL Combine, he was meeting then Senator Barack Obama as his campaign stopped at the university. The NFL hopeful presented the U.S. President with a Penn State football jersey in front of a crowd of more than 20,000 on the Old Main lawn.

Lydell Sargeant recently took sometime out of his combine preparations to speak with Football Review Daily about the his collegiate career, the NFL Combine, and his meeting with the U.S. President.

-- How have you prepared for the NFL combine?

I am training with Deion Sanders. The combine training program is called 'Prime U'. Training with Deion, I have learned alot about the game and specifically my position. Deion is one of the greatest if not the greatest cornerback to ever play the game, so having him teach me has been big in the development of my game. Not to mention he might have been one of the fastest players as well. We not only do combine training here (40, bench, drills, etc.) we also have wonderlic training, interview training, and life training. I think I am as prepared as I can be for the NFL combine.

-- Is there an advantage to having some of your college teammates at the event?

I don't really think there is a big advantage, as most of us are going to arrive and test on different days. I think seeing familiar faces is definitely comforting, and can help calm down your nerves a little. At the end of the day, you have to perform and show what you can do as an individual.

-- Was the 2008 season a success?

The 2008 season was a huge success. We started the season I believe ranked 4th or 5th in the big ten, and at the end of the season we were Big Ten Champions. We had the opportunity to play in a BCS game (rose bowl) didn't have the expected come out, but it was a great experience. Finishing 11-2 and winning the Big Ten, our team will be stamped in the stadium and in the football facility forever.

Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics
-- Favorite game moment from 2008?

Favorite game moment from 2008, would be the Michigan State game. That was a big game for us, and we won and came out of the game Big Ten Champions, and I personally had a good game and that's all you can ask for on senior night, your last game playing in front of your university and fans.

-- Favorite moment from your playing career?

Favorite moment from my playing career would again be the Michigan State game. Senior night, getting an interception, winning the Big Ten Title, it was just a special day. Personally probably the interception against Ohio State at the end of the game, to clinch the game was probably one of my favorite moments.

-- Can you talk about the experience being a part of the Obama campaign this past year?

Being a part of the Obama campaign is probably the best experience of my life. I have grew up around sports and sports has always been a major part of my life, and for me to get as involved as I was in something besides sports was definitely a good feeling. To say that I played a part in helping Barack Obama become the President of the United States is special. Not only did I help out, but I had a chance to talk and build a relationship with him. Not too many people can say that they know the President of the United States, and I can and am very blessed to be able to.

-- Are politics in your future?

Politics is a harsh life. I have seen first hand how time consuming it is. You have to put a lot of hard work into it and you have to truly love what you do to be successful. Not to mention all criticism you get, its a very hard job. As I describe it, it sounds alot like sports! I'm not ruling it out, but its not in my near future, football is what I love and is what I want to do.

-- Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, you became friends with former PSU cornerback Justin King. What advice did he have for you about the pros?

Justin is my best friend, and I talk to him pretty much everyday. I talked to him last year when he was going through this process and sort of got a inside scoop of what it is like. He basically just told me, you can only control what you do. You cant control what team is going to like your style of play, you cant control what team is going to draft you, you cant do anything about those type of things. Once you have done everything you can and you've done it the best you can, all you can do is relax and just let things fall where the may. He's told me I can play at that level, he tells me all the time I have the skills and knowledge to play in the pros, and if I continue to work hard I can be successful in the league.

-- Finally, can you talk about the fans of the PSU program. What was it like playing in front of 100,000+ during your collegiate career?

Penn State Fans are the best fans in the country. The fans are what makes Penn State Football what it is. Playing in front of 100,000+ is special, and is something that ill never forget. I am blessed to be able to have a chance to play in front of those fans, the fans that are there rain or shine, win or defeat, hot or cold, they truly bleed blue and white. I probably won't be able to play ( if ever) in front of 100,000+ fans again and that is what makes playing in Beaver Stadium so exciting. As an athlete all you can do is appreciate the fans, and I personally am very appreciative and thankful for the 100,000+ Penn State fans that came to watch me play during my career there.

*Note: Obamicon Image created using Photo Courtesy of Penn State University Athletics

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