CHEEZ-IT CITRUS BOWL: LSU VS PURDUE

December 30, 2022

Eric Miller

Camping World Stadium

Purdue Boilermakers

Press Conference

ERIC MILLER: Just to be around some of those kids who have all the excitement in the world and just to be chasing after them and to have a great time. It kind of reminds us what it is all about. It was a lot of fun and a great experience.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in the big game?

ERIC MILLER: We are just excited to represent Purdue. This is a big stage for us. The opportunity for us to get back-to-back nine-win seasons and really represent the Big Ten and our school on the biggest stage we have been on in a while. We have a lot of guys who are excited for their opportunity to go show what we are all about.

Q. What do you see out of LSU when you look at them?

ERIC MILLER: Yeah, obviously they are really talented. Went to the SEC Championship Game, and that is not easy to do. They have speed and athleticism on all three levels. They are going to give us a lot of different looks. They are going to heat us up on third down and try to confuse us.

We have to be on top of identifying fronts, blitzes, things like that. It is going to be a challenge, but I know we are excited for it.

Q. They have a lot of defensive linemen. How would you describe your offense and your running game and some of the things you guys can do up front?

ERIC MILLER: Yeah, I think we have been really keyed into the run game this year. Obviously having a guy, like Devin Mockobee, behind us kind of can maybe make us right, when we don't do everything the right way -- and Dylan Downing, as well. We are excited about that and trying to kind of test our mettle against a really good front, a front seven, who is big, athletic, lengthy.

We are excited to try and give those guys some lanes to run and keep Austin standing up and give him some time.

Q. Did you block for Drew at all?

ERIC MILLER: No, I haven't gotten that opportunity yet. It seems like he hung up the pads for good. I got to play some golf with him last night at TopGolf, and he hit left -- he's a righty, obviously. He hit a shot lefty better than I will ever hit with my good hand. So that was a little, you know, impressive.

He is a great guy and just to have his knowledge and hear his stories that he has about the game, his time at Purdue. It has been incredible and just such a valuable experience for all of us to have that, and something we will all look back on in the future and say that was pretty incredible.

Q. How would you describe what Drew Brees means to the fans?

ERIC MILLER: He means everything. He is such a great ambassador for our university and has put a lot of time and effort. His name is on our Academic Center. He cares a lot about West Lafayette and the people and us, and it shows. He has given up his time around Christmas to be with us and give back to us, and the Purdue family.

It means a ton to all of us and the fans. It's been an incredible experience so far.