Purdue routs Eastern Kentucky in week 1 win

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - An hour before kickoff the Purdue football team learned they would play without starting quarterback and captain Caleb TerBush, who was suspended for a violation of team rules.

"We have to be a much more disciplined football team that's on the field or off the field and that will make the difference in us being champions in 2012," said Purdue head coach Danny Hope.

Robert Marve made the start at quarterback in place of Terbush and passed for a career-high 295 yards and matched a career best with three touchdowns to help lead the Boilermakers to the 48-6 victory. The last time Marve threw three touchdowns was in 2008, when he was the starter at Miami.

"I think all the credit goes to the offensive line and they did a great job of keeping us clean and letting us see," said Marve. "It's nice having older guys up there too and the leadership to talk to about what blitzes are going on."

"Robert did a great job. He almost had 300 yards passing," said Rob Henry. "We almost put up 50 points and as an offense I thought we played pretty good."

Akeem Shavers started where he left off last season as he ran for 74 yards on the ground and 1 touchdown. Junior wide receiver O.J. Ross caught 8 passes for 71 yards while senior receiver Antavian Eddison also hauled in 8 receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Purdue gained 542 yards against Head Coach Danny Hope's alma mater, where he was the head coach from 2003 to 2007.

Purdue has now won their season opener two years in a row. The Boilermakers will now turn their attention to a week two road match-up against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.