Hope: Purdue on verge of success story

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Purdue coach Danny Hope wished he had a better story for the reporters at his weekly news conference on Tuesday.

Instead of being a surprise 5-0 team, the Boilermakers have lost their past four games by a combined 18 points, including a two-point loss at Oregon and a loss in the final minute against Notre Dame.

"You know, we're very close to being one of the great success stories in college football," he said. "We're some turnovers away."

Purdue (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten) committed six turnovers in Saturday's 27-21 loss to Northwestern, but the Boilermakers had the ball at the Northwestern 5-yard line in the final minute with a chance to win.

"We realize that even though we've had a lot of horrific occurrences as far as the football goes, we've been in position to win every game," Hope said. "So I'm proud of our team."

Purdue this week faces Minnesota (3-2, 1-1), who have lost two straight at home and get the Boilermakers for its homecoming game this weekend. Hope thinks his team is ready to turn things around, and he is pleased with Joey Elliott's development at quarterback.

Elliott, a senior, passed for 313 yards and three touchdowns against Northwestern and led the late drive that could have won the game.

Elliott leads the Big Ten with 255 yards passing per game. Hope was positive about Elliott, even though he overthrew Aaron Valentin on fourth-and-goal in the final minute.

"There's even greater potential for Joey Elliott than what you are seeing on the field right now, and he's doing very well," Hope said.

Hope said the team hasn't given up on the season.

"I love our football team," he said. "We don't like our record. We're not far off from having an awfully good record but we have to take care of the football."