Orton was named the winner of the Drew Brees Mental Toughness Award. Tiller, a former Purdue head football coach who ran the program during Orton’s years behind center presented the the honor to his former player.
Tiller reminisced some of his favorite memories of Orton’s time at Purdue before presenting him with the award. The coach recalled Orton coming off the bench and making a play he believes was a special as Drew Brees’ famous pass to Vinny Southerland.
“We were trailing 42-37 with just over 3 minutes to play. It was fourth down and eight. And (Brandon) Kirsch got the wind knocked out of him,” Tiller said in his speech.