WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue faced a No. 1 opponent for the first time since 1990, but Ohio State turned a shaky opening into a commanding 34–10 win Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, improving to 9–0 behind another record-setting moment and a punishing ground attack.
Purdue opened the game with one first down before punting, but found early rhythm on its second drive. Ryan Browne went 6-of-7, including a perfectly placed 30-yard strike to Rico Walker to energize Ross-Ade. That drive stalled inside Ohio State territory, yet a 40-yard field goal gave Purdue a 3–0 lead — and brief belief.
Ohio State answered immediately. CJ Donaldson powered in from short range to put the Buckeyes ahead 7–3, but the game’s major momentum swing came shortly after: Julian Sayin connected with Brandon Inniss on a strong chain-moving grab, sparking a drive that ended with Jeremiah Smith’s touchdown. The score made it 14-3 and also placed Smith in the Ohio State record book — reaching 25 career touchdowns in just 25 games, the fastest in program history.
Purdue’s defense hung early, aided by a Buckeye penalty and a called-back long run, but a costly interception under seven minutes before halftime flipped the script for good. Lincoln Kienholz soon punched in a score as Ohio State erupted for 24 second-quarter points, seizing control while holding Purdue under 37 rushing yards and fewer than 100 passing in the first half. Time of possession nearly doubled in OSU’s favor by halftime (20 minutes to 10).
The Buckeye run game wore the Boilers down, and Donaldson added his second touchdown in the second half to stretch the margin. Purdue struggled to mount answers — Browne finished 10-for-19 for 76 yards and a pick, adding 27 rushing yards as the Boilers totaled just 186 yards of offense.
Purdue finally broke through late when Malachi Singleton found freshman Jesse Watson in the end zone, but by then the outcome was long settled.
“The second quarter got away from us — the long drive, the takeaway — it’s hard to overcome against a team like this,” Purdue head coach Barry Odom said. “But I saw some things. I’m going to keep believing we’re going to get back to those winning ways.”
Ohio State moves to 9-0; Purdue falls to 2-8 (0-6 Big Ten).
D. Wright Take Away
Early spark, same story. Purdue showed promise on that second drive — Browne sharp, crowd fired up — but one miscue and long Buckeye drives flipped the game. Against a No. 1 team, those cracks turn into craters. Next up: a road trip to Washington with upset dreams before the in-state battle vs a hot Indiana squad.
Ohio State? Slow start meant nothing. The run game leaned on Purdue, Donaldson punched in two, and Jeremiah Smith keeps rewriting history. One score, one record, same conclusion: he’s different. Buckeyes head home to face UCLA with the No. 1 engine humming.
