Nov 10, 2001
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By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Steve Bellisari threw three touchdown passes, and Ohio State's defense intercepted three passes and forced two safeties as the Buckeyes beat Purdue 35-9 Saturday.
Ohio State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) can still share the conference title by winning its final two games. The Buckeyes play host to Illinois, then play at rival Michigan.
Bellisari has been booed at home all season for his mediocre performances. For the second straight game, however, he seemed to make all the right moves.
He completed 14 of 20 passes for 263 yards without an interception. His touchdown throws - all in the second half - covered 53 yards to Michael Jenkins, 13 yards to Ben Hartsock, and 7 yards to Chris Vance.
Vance had the biggest receiving day of his career, catching seven passes for 138 yards.
Jonathan Wells carried 21 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Purdue (5-3, 3-3), which came in ranked last in the Big Ten in offense, struggled all day. Quarterback Brandon Hance completed just 10 of 22 passes for 122 yards and was intercepted by Donnie Nickey, Cie Grant and Derek Ross.
Hance also was tackled in the end zone for a safety by Kenny Peterson and Matt Wilhelm in the third quarter. After a wayward snap from the shotgun formation, Hance picked up the bouncing ball and intentionally fumbled it out of the end zone for another safety in the first half.
The Buckeyes took a 12-0 lead in the first 10 minutes.
Mike Nugent kicked a 36-yard field goal, the Boilermakers took the safety on the bad snap from center, and Wells cut across the grain for a 15-yard touchdown run.
Ohio State, which wasted 17- and 18-point leads in its last two losses, didn't let this one slip away.
Travis Dorsch, the Big Ten's top kicker, made a 41-yard field goal for the Boilermakers to make it 12-3.
After the first of Bellisari's two lost fumbles, Purdue drove 18 yards in five plays with Hance bootlegging the final yard for the touchdown. Dorsch uncharacteristically shanked the extra-point kick, making the gap 12-9 at the half.
The second half was all Ohio State, however. The Buckeyes outgained the Boilermakers 243-89.
Purdue's Tim Stratton, who had caught passes in 36 consecutive games, did not have a reception.
Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George, who won the Heisman Trophy at Ohio State, had his No. 27 retired during halftime.