Sept 28, 2002
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By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press Writer
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - Joey Harris ran for 106 yards and two touchdowns, and Purdue scored 21 third-quarter points to beat Minnesota 28-15 Saturday.
Purdue (3-2) has won seven straight games against Minnesota and has not lost at home to the Gophers since 1990.
In the Big Ten opener for both teams, Minnesota (4-1) was out to prove it could produce the same impressive numbers in the conference that it during a soft nonconference schedule.
Instead, they were stymied by a Purdue defense that returned one interception for a score, recovered a fumble that led to another TD and had a defensive end catch a TD pass when he lined up as a receiver.
Minnesota's Asad Abdul-Khaliq came in leading the nation in passing efficiency, but he overthrew open receivers on deep routes and ran when he should have stayed in the pocket.
Still, the Gophers took advantage of three Purdue fumbles and three field goals by Dan Nystrom to lead 9-7 at halftime. Then the game went downhill.
On the first play of the third quarter, Abdul-Khaliq's pass was intercepted by safety Ralph Turner, who ran 23 yards for a touchdown and a 14-9 lead.
Turner came through again late in the third, after another Purdue touchdown hasd made it 21-9. His blind-side hit on Abdul-Khaliq caused a fumble, and Gilbert Gardner returned the ball 35 yards to the Minnesota 4. Two plays later, Kyle Orton hit defensive end Shaun Phillips over the middle for a 3-yard TD pass.
It was the first career reception for Phillips, tied for fifth on Purdue's career sack list.
Minnesota scored with 5? minutes left to play, on an 8-yard TD pass from Abdul-Khaliq to Antoine Burns, but the 2-point conversion pass was batted down.
Abdul Khaliq had his worst game of the year, going 16-for-48 for 233 yards, one interception and one touchdown.
The Boilermakers still haven't found a cure for the fumbling problem that cost them in a loss at home last week to Wake Forest. Running backs Jerod Void and Harris both lost fumbles, and Stuart Schweigert dropped a kickoff when he ran into one of his blockers. Purdue has lost 13 fumbles this year after losing only 12 a year ago.
Brent Slaton also had a punt blocked by Minnesota's Jermaine Mays.
The Gophers though, could only get field goals of 38, 49, and 28 yards from Dan Nystrom.
Purdue's first drive was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Harris. The Boilermakers didn't score another offensive TD until a 3-yard run by Harris in the third. He went over 100 yards for the fourth time this season.
When Purdue wasn't giving the ball away, Orton had plenty of time to make his reads, but dropped passes and some overthrows on the long ball hurt his percentage. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 190 yards.
Coach Joe Tiller has moved into a second-place tie on Purdue's career victory list with Noble Kizer (42). Jack Mollenkopf is the leader with 84 wins.
Purdue improved to 6-0 in Big Ten openers and avoided falling below .500 for the first time since it was 3-4 in 1998.