WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) Purdue coach Darrell Hazell took plenty of notes Saturday, and now he'll have plenty to ponder heading into fall practice.

Instead of calling plays at Saturday's spring football game, Purdue's new coach spent most of the afternoon walking around in a white windbreaker and black baseball cap analyzing every play from the offensive backfield. His early conclusion: The Boilermakers look better than they did four weeks ago when spring practice began but still have room for lots of improvement.

"I really like the direction we're heading," Hazell said after his first spring game in West Lafayette. "Obviously, there's a lot of work to be done before we open up the season, but I think they're starting to understand what it takes to be a better football team."