COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a top-20 matchup, the No. 19 Purdue football team ran into a buzzsaw away from home Saturday. No. 4 Ohio State's offense was clicking on all cylinders, racing to a 59-31 victory and preventing the Boilermakers from picking up their third top-five victory of the season.
As a team, the Purdue offense racked up 481 yards. Aidan O'Connell was efficient through the air, going 40-of-52 for 390 yards and a season-high four touchdowns. It was the quarterback's fourth 300-yard game in B1G play this season along with his second consecutive game with at least 40 completions.
David Bell, the Big Ten's leader in receptions and receiving yards per game, had another productive day. The Biletnikoff Award semifinalist made 11 catches totaling 103 yards, continuing to build on his school record with his 16th career 100-yard game. Milton Wright added seven receptions for a season-high 98 yards.
Jackson Anthrop entered the contest with two receiving touchdowns and equaled that total on Saturday, matching his career high from 2017 against Louisville. He had receiving touchdowns or 25 yards and nine yards, finishing the day hauling in seven receptions for 66 yards.
For Ohio State, quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 361 yards and five touchdowns. He favored a trio of wide receivers as Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave all had at least nine receptions apiece. The three buckeyes combined for 350 of the team's 361 receiving yards.
After the Buckeyes scored on their opening drive, Purdue countered with a touchdown of its own. O'Connell found Bell for 23 yards to start the drive, getting the Boilermakers near midfield. Six plays later, Anthrop broke wide open on a wheel route down the sideline and into the end zone. The 25-yard hookup knotted the game at 7-7.
Along with a high-powered offense, OSU took advantage of two Boilermaker turnovers to build a large first half advantage. Purdue scored on consecutives drives in the second quarter, starting with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Broc Thompson. The Boilermakers returned to the red zone, and Mitchell Fineran split the uprights from 32 yards out.
Purdue's offense came out firing to start the second half. The Boilermakers found the end zone on both of their drives in the third quarter thanks to a pair of O'Connell touchdown passes.
BELL MOVES UP THE CAREER CHARTS
Entering the game tied for fifth in school history alongside Greg Orton with 203 career receptions, David Bell moved into fourth by passing Tim Stratton (204). He also produced his 16th career 100-yard receiving game to increase his school record.
O'CONNELL AIRS IT OUT
For the second consecutive game, Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell had at least 40 completions against a top-five opponent. He followed up his 536-yard day (40-of-54) against Michigan State with a 390-yard outing (40-of-52) versus Ohio State.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers remain on the road, traveling north to Chicago. Purdue faces the Northwestern Wildcats from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Kickoff is set for noon on B1G Network.
As a team, the Purdue offense racked up 481 yards. Aidan O'Connell was efficient through the air, going 40-of-52 for 390 yards and a season-high four touchdowns. It was the quarterback's fourth 300-yard game in B1G play this season along with his second consecutive game with at least 40 completions.
David Bell, the Big Ten's leader in receptions and receiving yards per game, had another productive day. The Biletnikoff Award semifinalist made 11 catches totaling 103 yards, continuing to build on his school record with his 16th career 100-yard game. Milton Wright added seven receptions for a season-high 98 yards.
Jackson Anthrop entered the contest with two receiving touchdowns and equaled that total on Saturday, matching his career high from 2017 against Louisville. He had receiving touchdowns or 25 yards and nine yards, finishing the day hauling in seven receptions for 66 yards.
For Ohio State, quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 361 yards and five touchdowns. He favored a trio of wide receivers as Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Chris Olave all had at least nine receptions apiece. The three buckeyes combined for 350 of the team's 361 receiving yards.
After the Buckeyes scored on their opening drive, Purdue countered with a touchdown of its own. O'Connell found Bell for 23 yards to start the drive, getting the Boilermakers near midfield. Six plays later, Anthrop broke wide open on a wheel route down the sideline and into the end zone. The 25-yard hookup knotted the game at 7-7.
Along with a high-powered offense, OSU took advantage of two Boilermaker turnovers to build a large first half advantage. Purdue scored on consecutives drives in the second quarter, starting with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Broc Thompson. The Boilermakers returned to the red zone, and Mitchell Fineran split the uprights from 32 yards out.
Purdue's offense came out firing to start the second half. The Boilermakers found the end zone on both of their drives in the third quarter thanks to a pair of O'Connell touchdown passes.
BELL MOVES UP THE CAREER CHARTS
Entering the game tied for fifth in school history alongside Greg Orton with 203 career receptions, David Bell moved into fourth by passing Tim Stratton (204). He also produced his 16th career 100-yard receiving game to increase his school record.
O'CONNELL AIRS IT OUT
For the second consecutive game, Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell had at least 40 completions against a top-five opponent. He followed up his 536-yard day (40-of-54) against Michigan State with a 390-yard outing (40-of-52) versus Ohio State.
UP NEXT
The Boilermakers remain on the road, traveling north to Chicago. Purdue faces the Northwestern Wildcats from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Kickoff is set for noon on B1G Network.