Aug. 25--When it comes to being hurt in West Lafayette, Ind., there is a patron saint of knee injuries.
So when Purdue wide receiver Danny Anthrop tore his right ACL last season, he knew to seek advice from former Boilermakers basketball star Robbie Hummel, who endured two seasons of devastating knee injuries.
"I talked to him quite a bit," Anthrop said. "He told me to have patience. It's a devastating injury; you're not going to be able to bounce right back."
That applies only medically to Anthrop. The effervescent senior rarely needs a pep talk.
"Danny is such an electric player on the field, (and) he's just such a positive, goofy dude," center Robert Kugler said. "I don't know anyone who doesn't like him."
The Boilermakers hope to make a few Big Ten enemies this season after being a most welcome opponent while going 1-15 in the conference and 4-20 overall the last two seasons. They finished last season on a six-game losing streak.
"I think we will surprise people," Anthrop said. "It's going to be a big year for us. We've experienced all the hardship and all the defeats. We competed last year, but we're going to do more than compete. Everybody on the team has been working so hard. That gives us a lot of confidence."
The rest of the nation isn't expecting a big change, evidenced by a predicted last-place finish in the West Division in a national poll of sportswriters.
But Anthrop figures to be a major reason for some optimism bubbling through the program. He led the Boilermakers with 616 yards and four touchdowns on 38 catches before missing the last three games after tearing the knee ligament while returning a punt in a Nov. 1 loss at Nebraska.
He has declared himself "full go" for 2015.
"I'd wake up and it would be aching," he said of his knee. "Now I don't even notice it."
While Purdue is still figuring out its starting quarterback -- Austin Appleby is the favorite over redshirt freshman David Blough, with a decision expected this week -- Anthrop is expected to be a stable component of the offense.
"The success that he had last year will help not only himself and the quarterback but the other receivers," coach Darrell Hazell said. "You have to know where he is on every play. He's as fast as everybody on the field. He has legitimate football speed."
Hazell is upbeat about the season, noting the team's positive morale and strong work ethic.
"Our guys are going to go to work whether we're picked first or last," he said. "We can't get consumed by what people are saying about us."
Anthrop is ready for a turnaround. Before coming to Purdue, he had not lost a football game since his freshman year of high school and had won three state championships.
"It's been really hard," he said. "You don't get used to losing. If you get used to losing, then it's an issue."
sryan@tribpub.com
Reason to believe: The Boilermakers showed some improvement in Year 2 under coach Darrell Hazell, and they exude optimism entering the season.
Reason for doubt: They don't instill much confidence after winning just one Big Ten game over the last two seasons and ranking near the bottom of the conference in total offense and total defense a year ago.
Big hole to fill: RBs Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert were the top playmakers in 2014, and the Boilermakers lack replacements with their experience.
Breakout player: Freshman RB Markell Jones won Indiana's Mr. Football award after rushing for 3,565 yards and 60 touchdowns as a senior at Columbus East.
Season is a success if ... The Boilermakers win a Big Ten home game and finish anywhere but last in the conference.
