Tag: Purdue Boilermarkers

Basketball world mourns Caleb Swanigan, who unexpectedly died at 25 years old

Rest in Peace, Caleb Swanigan.

It’s never an easy thing to deal with death, but it’s especially tough to do so when it just doesn’t feel like it was the person’s time to go.

That’s how everyone seems to feel about former Purdue Boilermaker star Caleb Swanigan. News broke Tuesday that the former Trail Blazers draft pick died at 25 years old.

It’s unclear exactly what happened with Swanigan. Purdue’s Men’s basketball team was the first to announce the on Twitter.

They didn’t announce any further details on what happened. It came out of nowhere. Absolutely no one was expecting this, and just about everyone was devastated because of it.

Swanigan was picked by the Trail Blazers in 2017 and had a three-year NBA stint that he split between Portland and the Sacramento Kings. Before that, he played his basketball at Purdue, where he was a consensus All-American and also named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2017.

He was Indiana’s Mr. Basketball in 2015, which is a huge honor only bestowed to some of the best talents we’ve seen come out of the state.

This was simply heartbreaking for a lot of people. So many folks had so many good things to say about Swanigan as both a former teammate and a friend.

Apparent Purdue touchdown becomes touchback, Iowa football

Purdue thought it had a touchdown but a replay review turned it into a touchback

Iowa is having a huge struggle against Purdue at Kinnick on Saturday.

The second-ranked Hawkeyes were down 17-7 in the third quarter and appeared to be headed to a deeper deficit.

Aidan O’Connell found TJ Sheffield on third-and-goal from the Iowa 6.

The receiver reached for the goal line and the official signaled touchdown.

However, before the PAT the dreaded buzz from upstairs for a review.

Upon that review, it was ruled Sheffield not only didn’t reach the pylon but he failed to control and ball and that went out of bounds in the end zone.

Instead of a Purdue touchdown, it was Iowa ball.

The Hawkeyes were unable to do anything and their undefeated season was in jeopardy heading into the final 15 minutes.

Former Purdue star, Eagles’ top pick Leroy Keyes dies at 74

Leroy Keyes, who starred for Purdue before being drafted by the Eagles, has died at 74

Leroy Keyes was a mega-star at Purdue and it led to the Philadelphia Eagles using the third pick in the 1969 draft to select the running back. The great Boilermaker succumbed to cancer and congestive heart failure Thursday at the age of 74.

The Keyes family released this statement:

“The Keyes family is saddened to announce the passing of Purdue’s Athlete of the Century, Leroy Keyes. He passed peacefully at home this morning at 5:17 a.m. local time surrounded by his wife and children. Celebration of Life arrangements will be forthcoming. Your thoughts, prayers and condolences are felt and truly appreciated. We thank you for respecting our privacy during this difficult time.”

Keyes had a remarkable college career. He was third in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 1967 and runner-up in 1968.

He finished as the school’s career leader in touchdowns (37), points (222), and all-purpose yards (3,757). Oh, and Keyes threw eight TD passes, too.

This was a time when college players did not see action as freshmen, either.

The Eagles chose Keyes third overall after O.J. Simpson and George Kunz but his NFL career was hampered by injuries. He played four seasons with the Eagles before finishing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1973.

He rushed for 361 yards and three TDs as a rookie. Keyes played strong safety in his final two seasons with Philadelphia.

 

 

 

 

Purdue, Miami stars opt-out of college football ’20

Greg Rousseau of Miami and Purdue’s Rondale Moore are skipping the 2020 college football season, getting ready for the NFL Draft.

Two more big names have opted-out of the 2020 college football season.

The day started with Penn State star linebacker Micah Parsons saying he was skipping the season.

Hours later, Miami DE Greg Rousseau said he plans to pass on the season and prepare for the NFL Draft.

Hed the ACC in sacks last season with 15.5 and is widely considered a first-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. lists Rousseau as his No. 24 overall prospect and the top defensive end.

Then, one of the more exciting players in college football added to the exit list.

Purdue WR Rondale Moore said he is leaving Lafayette, IN, to prepare for a pro future.

Moore caught 114 passes for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2018. He also rushed 21 times for 213 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first true freshman consensus All-American in Big Ten history.

He missed most of the 2019 season after suffering a hamstring injury.