Plant product Marve granted sixth year at Purdue

Posted Jan 14, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 14, 2012 at 07:00 PM

Former Plant High star quarterback Robert Marve, who led the Panthers to their first state title in 2006, has received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, Plant coach Robert Weiner confirmed.

With the sixth year of eligibility, a healthy Marve should be able to take on Boilermakers Caleb TerBush and Rob Henry for the starting quarterback job this fall.

“I am extremely blessed by the NCAA’s decision and proud to be at Purdue for another season,” Marve said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to next year and winning games for the Boilermakers.”

Marve began his career at Miami, sat out the 2007 season because of a hand injury sustained in a car crash. After transferring to Purdue, he had more bad luck, missing all but four games of Purdue’s 2010 season after suffering a torn ACL.

More knee problems limited Marve’s playing time at the start of the 2011 campaign. As a result, he spent most of the season backing up TerBush, completing 56 percent of his passes for 633 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. Marve also scored the game-winning touchdown against Ohio State on a 1-yard run in overtime.

Marve is the third Boilermaker to be granted an additional season in the last four years, following defensive back Torri Williams in 2009 and linebacker Jason Werner in 2010.

With Marve landing a sixth year at Purdue and Aaron Murray returning to Georgia for his junior season, Plant could boast two starting quarterbacks in Division I football next fall.