Akron (0-0) at No. 13 Purdue (0-0) 1:00 pm EDT

— -- Akron (0-0) at No. 13 Purdue (0-0) 1:00 pm EDT WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (Ticker) - Thirteenth-ranked Purdue will not field an inexperienced team when it begins what is expected to be a successful campaign Saturday against Akron. The Boilermakers return 18 starters - including all 11 on defense - from a squad that went 7-5 in 2004. They expect to have a much better record this year, especially since they do not play Big Ten Conference powers Michigan and Ohio State. Junior quarterback Brandon Kirsch will replace Kyle Orton, who left for the NFL. Last year, Kirsch completed 58-of-94 passes for 711 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions while appearing in six games, including two starts. An able runner, Kirsch will look to throw to the speedy Dorien Bryant, 6-9 Kyle Ingraham and dependable tight end Charles Davis. Leading rusher Jerod Void averaged just 3.9 yards per carry last season. Akron went 6-5 and finished second in the Mid-American Conference East Division last year, their first under coach J.D. Brookhart. The Zips had a chance to play in their first MAC title game but lost at home to Miami of Ohio, 37-27. The Zips have lost 10 of their last 11 season-opening contests. The only win in that span was a 31-9 triumph over Ohio in 2001. Junior transfer Luke Getsy was named quarterback, beating out Jabari Arthur and John Ferguson. Getsy began his career at Pittsburgh playing under Brookhart, the Panthers' offensive coordinator at the time. After not seeing any action as a freshman, he made six appearances as a sophomore in 2003, including his only start in the season opener vs. Kent State. Getsy is replacing Charlie Frye, who made 44 starts between 2001-04. Purdue is 2-0 all-time against Akron, including a 33-14 triumph here in 2001.