The Journal & Courier reached out to several members of Purdue's 2000 team. These subjects were interviewed for a series of upcoming stories.
Twenty-five years ago, Purdue football entered the 2000 season with a Heisman candidate quarterback, perhaps the nation's best offensive line and coupled it with a young, hungry defense loaded with athletes.
More than 20 players from that Boilermaker team would end up in the NFL.
The Journal & Courier attempted to reach 56 players and coaches from Purdue's 2000 Big Ten championship football team, its most recent league title and Rose Bowl appearance.
A series of stories will highlight the following about that Rose Bowl season: Joe Tiller, Purdue's coaching staff, prelude to the 2000 season, an unexpected 3-2 start, four Saturdays in October, Old Oaken Bucket game, Rose Bowl, and Purdue's attempts to win another Big Ten title coming up short.
The following players and coaches were interviewed for a series recapturing that 2000 season on its 25-year anniversary:
Ian Allen, guard: Part of starting offensive line that saw all five play in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2001, ended up playing for Giants, Eagles and Cardinals. Part of Eagles’ 2004 Super Bowl team. Played in CFL after NFL career.
Akin Ayodele, linebacker/defensive end: Had to switch positions for a portion of season because of early injuries. Lauded by many as the leader of the defense in 2000. Three-time All-Big Ten selection after coming from Coffeyville Community College. 29 career sacks. Third round pick 2002 NFL draft. Played for Jaguars, Cowboys, Dolphins and Bills.
Drew Brees, quarterback: After finishing fourth in the 1999 Heisman Trophy voting, Brees finished one spot higher after a record-breaking 2000 season. Won the Maxwell Award in 2000. Drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the 32nd overall pick in 2001. In the NFL, racked up numerous individual accolades, most notably Super Bowl XLIV MVP (interview conducted in 2015).
Kelly Butler, offensive tackle: True freshman who redshirted in 2000 and became starter for rest of career. Sixth round pick in 2004 NFL draft. Played for Lions and Browns.
Chris Clopton, cornerback: Came to Purdue as a slot receiver. Switched to running back. Many note his lack of size, but athletic ability and speed to overcome it (including locking up Plaxico Burress). Also returned kicks. Senior starter in 2000. Played arena league football after college.
Brady Doe, safety: Began the season as a starter. Ended up as a backup to Stu Schweigert. Had interception to close game against Indiana as fans stormed the field.
Travis Dorsch, kicker/punter: Up and down junior season in 2000 highlighted by game winner to beat Michigan. 2001 All-American and Ray Guy Award winner. Fourth round pick in 2002 NFL draft. Played for Bengals and Packers. Was All-NFL Europe in 2005.
Scott Downing, running backs/special teams coach: Worked with Joe Tiller for 16 years, including six seasons at Purdue.
Gary Emanuel, defensive ends coach: Switched from defensive tackles to defensive ends coach prior to the season. Spent more than four decades coaching in college and NFL, including stints with the 49ers, Colts, Giants and Falcons.
Rocco Foggio, defensive lineman: Four-year letter winner and senior during the 2000 season.
Gilbert Gardner, linebacker: Came to Purdue as receiver, but quickly switched to linebacker to utilize speed on defense. All-Big Ten as senior in 2003. Third round pick in 2004 NFL draft. Played for Colts, Titans, Lions, Bears. Won Super Bowl as member of Indianapolis Colts in 2006.
Jon Goldsberry, fullback: Redshirted the 2000 season before becoming a key component for Purdue the next four seasons. Signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent after college.
Ken Greene, defensive backs coach: Joined staff from Fresno State ahead of 2000 season. Former first round draft pick of Cardinals and also played for the Chargers.
Mark Hagen, defensive line coach: A former standout linebacker at Indiana University, Hagen joined Purdue’s staff ahead of the 2000 season and stayed 11 years. Hagen later returned to Purdue under Jeff Brohm and helped the Boilermakers reach the Big Ten title game.
Landon Johnson, linebacker: True freshman starter. Three-time All-Big Ten selection. Third round pick in 2004 NFL draft. Played for Bengals, Panthers and Lions.
Josh Kirkpatrick, offensive lineman: Came to Purdue from nearby Fountain Central High School as walk-on and later became scholarship player. Father was a member of Purdue’s only other Rose Bowl team.
Kelly Kitchel, offensive tackle: Reserve lineman. Current sideline reporter for Purdue football radio network.
Niko Koutouvides, linebacker: Saw time on defense as a true freshman in 2000. Twice named first-team All-Big Ten before being drafted by the Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2004 draft. Also played for the Broncos, Buccaneers and Patriots, appearing in two Super Bowls.
Scott Kurz, punter: After team had some special teams woes that cost it games against Notre Dame and Penn State, Kurz was elevated to the team’s starting punter.
Jason Loerzel, linebacker: Member of Joe Tiller’s first signing class. Transitioned from receiver to linebacker after joining team. Suffered a knee injury in 1999 regular season finale. After offseason surgery, returned to make 26 tackles, including 3 for loss.
Pete Lougheed, tight end: Third generation Purdue football player. Grandfather was a guard in the 1940s and father was the Boilermaker punter from 1969-71. After playing as a reserve tight end in 2000, moved to offensive line where he played for the Cincinnati Bengals after college.
Montrell Lowe, running back: Team’s leading rusher with 919 yards and six touchdowns in 2000. Rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns in win over Indiana to clinch Rose Bowl berth.
Matt Mitrione, defensive tackle: Starting member of the defense for three years. Signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent and also had stints with the 49ers and Vikings. After football, competed in mixed martial arts in UFC and Bellator.
Warren “Ike” Moore, defensive end: Before becoming a Walmart executive, found his niche during an era of elite defensive end play at Purdue. Famously told Drew Brees to “fix it” after a crucial interception against Ohio State prior to Brees’ game-winning touchdown pass.
Seth Morales, receiver: Walk-on transfer from Butler University. 33 catches, 532 yards, 2 TDs in 2000. Key TD catch in win over Wisconsin to help start comeback. Caught a Hail Mary to beat Ohio State in moment that continues to be noted as one of biggest plays in program history.
Kevin Nesfield, defensive end: Redshirt freshman who worked in the compliance department with Purdue athletics after his playing career and later joined Joe Tiller’s staff as a graduate assistant. Currently is the athletic director at Florida Memorial University.
Chukky Okobi, center: Moved to center ahead of 2000 season. Fifth round 2001 draft pick. Won Super Bowl XL as member of Pittsburgh Steelers. Also played for Cardinals and Texans.
Greg Olson, quarterbacks coach: A late addition to Joe Tiller’s staff in 1997 after offensive coordinator Larry Korpitz resigned in July ahead of the season due to being in the late stages of a fight with brain cancer. Olson mentored Purdue’s QBs from 1997-2000. He’s spent 24 years coaching in the NFL, currently as quarterbacks coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Shaun Phillips, defensive end: Committed to Purdue as a tight end, but switched to defensive end, where he was a starter in 2000 as a freshman. Left Purdue with program record 33.5 sacks and as a 2003 All-American after a 14.5 sacks season. Fourth round pick in 2004 NFL draft. Played for Chargers, Broncos, Titans, Colts. Pro Bowler and led NFL in forced fumbles in 2009.
Jacob Rowe, running back: Was blocking fullback in short yardage situations in 2000 and also played special teams.
Stuart Schweigert, safety: Was a true freshman starter. Remains program’s career record holder for interceptions and 2003 All-American. Third round pick in 2004 NFL draft. Played for the Raiders, Lions and Giants.
John Shelbourne, long snapper: Arrived at Purdue as rugby player. After an injury to a long snapper, was reached out to by football coaches and asked to come get fitted for pads.
AT Simpson, receiver: Junior from Indianapolis who had his best season in 2000 with 25 receptions and 2 touchdowns, including a key TD catch that helped Purdue win at Wisconsin.
Brock Spack, defensive coordinator: All-Big Ten linebacker at Purdue in early 1980s. After coaching DBs at Purdue from 1991-94, joined Joe Tiller’s staff at Wyoming. Returned to Purdue with Tiller in 1997. Has been head coach at Illinois State since 2009, where he’s program’s all-time winningest coach.
Kevin Sumlin, receivers coach: Former Purdue linebacker in the mid 1980s. Left Minnesota to join Tiller’s staff in 1998. Later became the head coach at Houston, Texas A&M and Arizona.
Vinny Sutherland, receiver: 65 receptions, 926 yards, 11 TDs in 2000. Also rushed for a TD and threw a TD pass. Fifth round pick in 2000 NFL draft. Played for 49ers and Bears.
Ben Smith, safety: Former quarterback who converted to safety. Had been a starter in the 1999 season. Served as mentor for younger safeties as a backup in 2000.
Tim Stratton, tight end: Mackey Award winner as the nation’s top tight end for the 2000 season. First-team All-Big Ten selection three straight seasons. His 204 career receptions were a Purdue record at the time.
Craig Terrill, defensive tackle: Freshman starter in 2000. Blocked a field goal in overtime at Wisconsin that was returned for game-winning touchdown. All-Big Ten in 2003. Sixth round pick in 2004 NFL draft. Long career with Seahawks. Played in Super Bowl and is franchise career leader in blocked kicks.
Arnette Tiller: Wife of Joe Tiller for 50 years. Coined the phrase “Boiler Up” which remains a chant at Purdue to this day.
Tim Upshur, safety: Two-sport athlete who also ran track for the Boilermakers after coming in as a part of Joe Tiller’s first recruiting class.
Tom Vaughan, safety: Local product from Lafayette Central Catholic High School who began his career as a walk-on.
Donald Winston, receiver: Rash of injuries limited production. 18 catches for 166 yards as redshirt senior in 2000. Best season came in 1997 before injuries in three straight fall camps.
Ashante Woodyard, cornerback: A junior in the 2000 season, Woodyard was a starting defensive back whose biggest career highlight came with a walk-off touchdown at Wisconsin. Had 52 tackles and 3 tackles for loss in 2000.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football 2000 season recaptured in series of upcoming stories
Category: General Sports
