UF QB Appleby, LSU QB Etling share close bond thanks to Purdue roots
Channel: YOU SPORTS
Date: 18/11/2016

UF QB Appleby, LSU QB Etling share close bond thanks to Purdue roots


when a guy plays quarterback at Purdue University, he joins a close-knit fraternity.

The membership is permanent, even if things ultimately do not work out under center with the Boilermakers.

Austin Appleby will lead the No. 23 Florida Gators Saturday against the No. 16 LSU Tigers led by Danny Etling. In a unique twist, the pair are Purdue transfers who forged a bond, sharing quarterback duties in West Lafayette, Ind., and will now square off in a high-profile SEC rivalry game.

"I want to know who's evaluating those quarterbacks at Purdue," LSU coach Ed Orgeron joked this week.

The high-profile position ran into tough times the past few years under head coach Darrell Hazell.

A school that produced NFL Hall of Famer Bob Griese, one-time NCAA passing leader Mark Herrmann and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist Drew Brees struggled to find the end zone and barely reached the win column.
"Obviously, it's been tough to be a Boilermaker football fan," Brees said this week in New Orleans as the Saints prepared for Thursday night's matchup at the Carolina Panthers.

Back home on Saturday, Brees will have his popcorn ready when LSU and Florida square off at 1 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.

"SEC, feel free to come to Purdue to find your quarterbacks," Brees joked this week. "But, it's just been great to see those guys succeed elsewhere and obviously with two really great programs. I'll be tuning into that one.

"That one will be entertaining."
One of the most-prolific passers in the game's history, Brees better not expect offensive fireworks.

This matchup should be a defensive battle between the Gators' SEC-leading pass defense and a Tigers' defense that has allowed 10 touchdowns, fewest in the nation.

But to pick up an SEC East title-clinching win, UF (7-2, 5-2) will need Appleby to keep LSU off balance with his ability to run and take shots downfield.

LSU (6-3, 4-2) leans on a running game featuring the formidable 1-2 punch of tailbacks Leonard Fournette and Derrius Guice. While the duo might be enough against a Florida defense missing at least four starters, chances are Etling will need to make some plays.

Appleby and Etling never imagined going to head to head in a high-stakes showdown in the Deep South.

No one could have.

"That's kind of bizarre, isn't it?" UF coach Jim McElwain said.

In 2013 and 2014, the two quarterbacks were dueling for the starting job at Purdue.

Etling twice edged Appleby, starting eight games to end in 2013 and five to open 2014. But Hazell eventually switched to Appleby, leading Etling to transfer the following June.

When Appleby was benched after three games last season, he began looking at his options and eventually landed at UF.

"It's definitely neat for us, our paths and how things didn't go exactly as we wanted them to go at Purdue," Appleby said of facing Etling Saturday. "Nevertheless, how thankful we are and how fortunate we are that we've been able to find homes that, you know, it still hasn't been easy."

Having Etling's ear has helped Appleby and vice versa.

The two QBs forged a bond at Purdue that continues today.

"Going up against each other every day and knowing only one quarterback is going to play, you've got to maintain a relationship because at the end of the day you're teammates," Etling said. "It's important to have each other's back."

Etling and Appleby endured some tough times at Purdue. The Boilermakers were 4-20 and won one of 16 Big Ten games in 2013-14.

These days, the two text often to lend support and occasionally commiserate.

"It's definitely going to be neat to run out there and go give him a hug before the game and after and see what we can do," Appleby said.

Brees will be watching.

The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer said he was impressed with Etling's potential and recalled working out once with Appleby.

Appleby said he, Brees and UF legend Tim Tebow trained in California with QB guru Tom House. Brees gave Appleby his number and the two have kept in touch.

"He's our Tim, I guess" Appleby said.

But Appleby is a Florida Gator now and will try to do something no UF quarterback has done since Tebow in 2009 — win in Tiger Stadium. To do it, Appleby will have to defeat a former teammate and a friend who took a strange and similar path to Saturday's showdown.

"I'm definitely a Danny Etling fan and I wish him nothing but the best," Appleby said. "Just not this week."