Purdue Boilermakers @ Ohio State Buckeyes Football Recap

The Purdue Boilermakers never had a chance against an angry Ohio State team still stinging from losing its No. 1 ranking in a disappointing loss at Wisconsin.  The Buckeyes pounded on the Boilers, taking a 42-0 lead at halftime and coasting to a 49-0 win.

Terrelle Pryor completed 16 of 22 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. The Buckeyes moved the ball at will in the first half, outgaining Purdue 415-47.

The Boilermakers were on their heels from the beginning, and even when they were able to force a three-and-out, a special teams gaffe ruined their momentum.  After Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan sacked Pryor on third down early in the first quarter, the Boilermakers handed the ball back to the Buckeyes when an Ohio State punt hit Chris Carlino in the back, and was recovered by the Buckeyes’ Jermale Hines.  Six plays later, the Buckeyes led 14-0.

The Purdue offense looked hopeless all day long.  The deepest it moved the ball into Ohio State territory was the 39-yard line in the final minute of the game.  The streak of 200-yard rushing games ended at five, as Purdue rushed for just 30 yards.

It was a tough day for redshirt freshman quarterback Rob Henry, who completed just 9 of 18 passes for 58 yards and an interception, and ran for 26 yards on five attempts, before leaving the game early in the third quarter with an injury to the index finger on his throwing hand. True freshman Sean Robinson took over for Henry and completed 6 of 10 passes for 30 yards.

The only Boilermakers to post positive rushing totals for the game were Henry, Keith Carlos (9 carries for 16 yards), Jared Crank (two carries for two yards), and true freshman Reggie Pegram, who carried three times for one yard in his Purdue debut.  Leading rusher Dan Dierking missed the game with an injury to his shoulder/neck area. Cortez Smith led Purdue receivers with four catches for 29 yards.

Henry may miss some time with his injury, meaning Robinson – considered Purdue’s fourth option at quarterback before Caleb TerBush was ruled academically ineligible and Robert Marve tore his ACL – may be forced to start next week at Illinois. 

Wide receiver Justin Siller, who started at quarterback for part of the 2008 season, might also switch back to quarterback.  He has missed the last three games with a foot injury, but is expected to return this week.

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