Boiler ground game propels offense in 24-14 win

By Doug Healey
Assistant Sports Editor

The Purdue Boilermakers avoided their first three-game losing streak under coach Joe Tiller with a 24-14 victory over Michigan State Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium.

Tiller's Boilers (6-3, 4-3 Big Ten) are bowl eligible now that they've won six games and guaranteed a winning season.

After a scoreless first half, which was Purdue's first scoreless first half under Tiller, Michigan State (5-4, 3-4) opened the second half with a 10-play, 81-yard scoring drive.

But Purdue's offense, led by freshman quarterback Kyle Orton, who replaced starter Brandon Hance, answered with an 11-play, 84-yard scoring drive of its own to tie the game at seven.

"Sometimes it seems with this offense that we need a little kick in the butt," said center Gene Mruczkowski. "Sometimes it takes us to have the other team score first to get us in motion and get going."

Orton led the Boilers to three second-half scoring drives and was 6-of-9 passing for 61 yards.

"A lot of my teammates took a lot of pressure off of me," said Orton. "Everybody in the huddle said they had confidence in me and we just gelled in the second half."

Montrell Lowe, who rushed 28 times for 121 yards and two touchdowns, capped the Boilers' first touchdown drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.

"Our offensive line did a tremendous job," said Lowe, who has two 100-yard rushing games this season. "They stepped up and took the challenge … the offensive line came together today."

After Lowe's touchdown run in the third quarter, the Boilermaker defense forced fumbles on consecutive Spartan possessions, which led to a Travis Dorsch 42-yard field goal and a 2-yard touchdown run by Lowe.

In the Boilers' two losses to Illinois and Ohio State, they converted 12 points off of 10 turnovers. But against the Spartans, Purdue converted six Spartan turnovers into 21 points.

For the game, the Purdue defense recovered four fumbles and had two interceptions. Joe Odom had his second interception of the season, and Stu Schweigert added the 11th of his career, which ties him with six others for the all-time interception record.

The last fumble recovery came midway through the fourth quarter, with Purdue leading 17-14. Michigan State quarterback Damon Dowdell dropped back to pass and was sacked by Purdue linebacker Landon Johnson, who led the Purdue defense with a career-high 14 tackles, including two for loss, two forced fumbles, one sack and one pass deflection. Johnson's hit caused Dowdell to fumble, and defensive tackle Craig Terrill recovered the football and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown, extending Purdue's lead to 24-14 with 7:11 remaining in the game.

It was the Boilers' second fumble recovery for a touchdown this season.

"I was lucky to pick it up," said Terrill. "A couple of my teammates made crucial blocks to get me in the end zone."

Terrill and the Purdue defensive front also held Spartan running back T.J. Duckett, who had averaged 117.8 yards per game prior to the Purdue game, to 19 yards on 11 carries. Although Dowdell threw for 304 yards, the Boiler defense held the Spartan running backs to 60 yards on 33 carries.

"That was our No. 1 goal," said Tiller. "We felt like if we could penetrate and get pressure inside we could control their running game … I was pleased with the way we played for 60 minutes instead of 30."

Bowl-bound Boilers earn winning season

Boiler ground game propels offense in 24-14 win

Purdue wins home opener by 56

Guards lead Boilers to season-opening victory over Valpo

Quarterback position remains open

Team earns top finish in opener

Volleyball team loses to Hoosiers and Illini

SPORTS DESK PHONE:
(765) 743-1111 ext. 251

Sports editor:
Paul Trembacki

Assistant sports editor:
Doug Healey

To send a letter to the editor, please email sports@purdueexponent.org