WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- When Purdue wide receivers coach Gerad Parker was promoted to interim head coach on Oct. 16, replacing fired Darrell Hazell, Parker promised more energy and faster starts.True to his word, Parker has the Boilermakers (3-6, 1-5 Big Ten) playing solid first halves heading into Saturdays home game against Northwestern (4-5, 3-3).Purdue led No. 21 Nebraska 14-10 at halftime, was tied with No. 12 Penn State 17-17 through 30 minutes and led Minnesota 28-23 after two quarters.But second halves have been nightmares under Parker, with the Cornhuskers (7-2), Nittany Lions (7-2) and Golden Gophers (7-2) outscoring the Boilermakers by a collective 83-10, each rallying to defeat Purdue.While turnovers have been a second-half issue, Parker says theres more to it than that. At minus 14 (23-9), the Boilermakers rank 126th among the 128 FBS teams in turnover margin.Some things are common, Parker said Tuesday in reference to Purdues second-half woes. The things you all see we see. No. 1 is turnovers. Also, your running game always is going to be a factor in the second half.Depth is going to be a factor in the second half. And I will never use this as an excuse, but these three most recent teams have only six combined losses. They are good football teams. Welcome to being a head coach. We also have not reacted well to sudden changes on defense.Sophomore quarterback David Blough, who leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (304.1) and in total offense (303.7), shoulders part of the blame because he has been intercepted 13 times and opponents have recorded 18 sacks.Blough was intercepted on the second halfs first series in the 44-31 loss at Minnesota, setting up a Golden Gopher touchdown. He threw four first-half touchdown passes in Minneapolis, but the Boilermakers were outscored 21-3 during the final 30 minutes last Saturday.They were the same plays we made in the first half against the same coverages, Blough said. The turnover to start the third quarter was the same play DeAngelo Yancey took to the house in the first half. My throw was a little bit behind, and (the Minnesota defender) made a good play.I have to protect the ball when things go bad. Its frustrating. Minnesota gave us every single coverage in America in the second half, and they kept throwing wrenches in it. We have to battle and make our bad plays gains of 2 and 3 yards instead of minus 2 yards or turnovers.It does not help Blough that Purdue ranks 125th nationally in rushing offense (101.2 yards a game) and is 121st in rushing defense (248.3).The Boilermakers enter the Northwestern game 0-14 in November games since the 2012 season and are 3-27 in Big Ten competition beginning with the 2013 season.Game notes Parker said that when athletic director Mike Bobinski hires the next head coach, he hopes to remain on the staff. My family loves it here, and Ive loved working here, said Parker, who came to Purdue with Hazell for the 2013 season. All those are reasons to obviously want to move forward here if something happens. ... After missing three consecutive games with a concussion, standout DT Jake Replogle played the first half at Minnesota but did not play after halftime. Parker said Tuesday that while he hopes Replogle plays against Northwestern, the lineman remains day to day.---For more college football coverage: http://www.collegefootball.ap.org Wholesale Custom Redskins Shirts . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Authentic Custom Redskins Jersey . Wilson hit Schenn from behind during Tuesday nights game in Philadelphia, earning a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He has a phone hearing with the department of player safety, which limits any potential suspension to five or fewer games. http://www.customredskinsjersey.com/custom-dwayne-haskins-jersey-large-72j.html . On Mar. 16, coming off a "fight of the year" performance at UFC 154 the previous November, St-Pierre faced Nick Diaz at UFC 158 in what would be his eighth defence of the welterweight title. Using his superior athleticism, St-Pierre cruised to a five round, unanimous decision victory setting up a much-anticipated title defence against number one contender Johny Hendricks. Custom Redskins Jerseys . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Redskins Jerseys China . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. CHICAGO -- John Lackey was ornery and fired up, just what the Cubs needed from their veteran right-hander to keep rolling.Lackey outpitched friend and former teammate Jered Weaver, Kris Bryant hit his 28th home run and Chicago beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-1 Tuesday night for its eighth straight victory.Willson Contreras also homered and Ben Zobrist added an RBI double for the major league-leading Cubs, who won their 70th game and moved a season-high 29 over .500.Kole Calhoun homered on Lackeys third pitch, but the former Angels right-hander later retired 12 straight. Lackey (9-7) allowed three hits over eight innings, and all six of his strikeouts were looking.Hes not going to be out there smiling all the time and hes going to be upset with umpires and hes going to be upset with his manager, said Cubs skipper Joe Maddon, who was with the Angels when Lackey started his career in 2002. Hes going to be upset with teammates on occasion. But thats just who he is, and when you know that, its OK. Because you love having him on your team.Weaver (8-9) gave up four earned runs and another one that was unearned when he dropped a throw to first base for an error during the Angels fifth straight loss.Bryant homered over the left-field bleachers in the fifth, giving Lackey more than enough cushion. Pedro Strop pitched a perfect ninth to finish the three-hitter.I thought he had an exceptional slider tonight and a really good changeup, Maddon said about Lackey.The matchup of veteran right-handers was as one-sided as their teams seasons in the opener of Chicagos 10-game homestand.The 37-year-old Lackey and 33-year-old Weaver were teammates a decade ago with the Angels. They had split their previous two meetings when Lackey pitched for Boston.This was the first time they batted against each other.Its a little strange when he gets in the box, for sure, because were good buddies, Lackey said.Calhoun struck first, sending Lackeys 1-0 pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first homer since June 25. Contreras tied it with a shot to left-center in the third.Weaver had the Cubs off balance early with his 83 mph fastball and 70 mph curve. But Chicago started to pounnce the second time through the order, with Anthony Rizzo doubling in a two-run fourth and again in a two-run fifth.ddddddddddddThe second hit came after Bryant sent Weavers slider onto Waveland Avenue.Its one of those lineups where you cant really breathe while youre out there. Theres no leeway, Weaver said. I grinded and tried to get some outs and some things didnt go my way towards the end.Weaver allowed eight hits in five innings.Its still a little weird because I root for him when hes not facing us, Lackey said. Hes a good friend. I really respect the way hes still competing and still getting after it with stuff thats a little less than he used to have. But hes still grinding, still trying to help his club win.TRAINERS ROOMAngels: C Geovany Soto (knee) was activated off the 15-day disabled list after the game and is expected to start Wednesday. C Carlos Perez was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. . New closer Cam Bedrosian was placed on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right middle finger. RHP A.J. Achter was called up from Triple-A. . 1B C.J. Cron (hand) plans to take live batting practice in Arizona this week. . RHP Nick Tropeano will undergo Tommy John surgery next Tuesday in Los Angeles.Cubs: Relief pitcher Hector Rondon (triceps) was unavailable. Its not an issue. I feel a little tired, Rondon said. . Jorge Soler started in left field for the first time since June 6 following a hamstring injury and three games as the DH last weekend. He went 2 for 4.CALL REVERSEDThe Cubs Dexter Fowler was ruled out after 3B Yunel Escobar had a foul pop knocked out of his glove by a fan in the fifth. Umpires initially ruled it no play before huddling and changing the call without a replay review.HEYWARDS CATCHCubs OF Jason Heyward made a headfirst, snow-cone grab of pinch-hitter Johnny Giavotellas fly to shallow right in the eighth.UP NEXTThe series concludes Wednesday night with Cubs RHP Jason Hammel (11-5, 3.07 ERA) returning from the bereavement list to face right-hander and former Cubs draft pick Ricky Nolasco (4-8, 5.23). ' ' '
