Shortly after Ohio State's shocking loss in West Lafayette last season, Purdue head coach Danny Hope sent a message to the rest of the Big Ten Conference. "Get used to it," he told a group of reporters at his postgame media session.
The comment obviously angered the Buckeyes, but they had to wait 371 days to make Hope sorry he opened his mouth. On a cool, dreary day off the banks of the Olentangy, the Bucks finally got their chance, and the scarlet and gray seized the opportunity. Ohio State piled up 42 1st half points as Hope and the Boilermakers experienced the wrath of the Buckeyes.
The comment obviously angered the Buckeyes, but they had to wait 371 days to make Hope sorry he opened his mouth. On a cool, dreary day off the banks of the Olentangy, the Bucks finally got their chance, and the scarlet and gray seized the opportunity. Ohio State piled up 42 1st half points as Hope and the Boilermakers experienced the wrath of the Buckeyes.
For the 4th consecutive game Dan "Boom" Herron provided Ohio State's offense with an early spark. Herron ran the ball on the Buckeyes' first 5 plays from scrimmage, and he scored OSU's 2 1st quarter touchdowns.
Coming off a miserable performance in Madison, Terrelle Pryor desperately needed a solid outing. And so, Pryor bounced back as he tossed 3 TD passes and helped engineer the rout. However, Pryor's 2 interceptions showed why he is no longer a Heisman Trophy candidate.
The Silver Bullets were embarassed by Wisconsin a week ago, and they took out their frustration on Purdue. The Buckeyes' defense pitched its first shutout of the season and forced 3 turnovers.
The opening kickoff was an omen of things to come as Jaamal Berry patiently watched Carson Wiggs' kick bounce out of bounds. A penalty was enforced, and Ohio State set up shop at its own 40 - yard line.
Jim Tressel decided to make a statement by running the football, and Herron carried the rock 5 times for 45 yards. After a facemask violation was added on to the drive, Herron's fifth carry reached the end zone when "Boom" dove across the goal line.
The Buckeyes were forced to punt on their next possession, but the Boilermakers' return man failed to make the catch, and the ball eventually bounced off the helmet of Chris Carlino and into the hands of Jermale Hines.
OSU gladly resumed their drive at the PU 39, and, 6 plays later, Herron lunged into the end zone from 2 yards out.
Purdue was now firmly back on its heels, and Ohio State responded by breaking the visitors' collective back. The Buckeyes drove 91 yards in 11 plays, and Jordan Hall's short TD plunge capped the impressive march.
OSU continued to push the proverbial gas pedal down as Pryor threw a perfect strike to Devier Posey inside the left pylon. The touchdown put the Buckeyes up, 28 - 0, but they were just getting started.
A few minutes later, Pryor zipped a 7 - yard TD pass to Dane Sanzenbacher just moments after the two had connected for 56 yards.
Ohio State's defense decided to get in on the action when Purdue began its next offensive series. Ohrian Johnson intercepted a Rob Henry pass and returned it to the Boilers' 40.
The Buckeyes' offense turned the miscue into points as Pryor flipped a 15 - yard scoring toss to Corey Brown. The touchdown was the first of Brown's career, and it brought a wild 1st half to a close.
Ohio State already held a 42 - 0 advantage when the 3rd quarter began, but the Bucks were hoping to pad their lead even further. However, Pryor's second interception - his first came midway through the 2nd quarter - prohibited the Buckeyes from having offensive success early in the 2nd half.
OSU's backups dominated the final 15 minutes of the game. First, Joe Bauserman found a wide open Spencer Smith in the end zone. With the score, Smith became the second Buckeye on the day to record his first career 6 - pointer. Then, on Purdue's ensuing possession, Storm Klein picked off a poorly thrown pass in Boilermakers' territory.
With less than a minute to go, Wiggs missed a 59 - yard field goal, and Purdue's last gasp at avoiding a shutout had failed.
Whoever coined the phrase "to kill two birds with one stone" probably had a day like this in mind because the Buckeyes avenged both their loss to Purdue last year and their loss to Wisconsin last week. Needless to say, this was an important game for Ohio State, and it delivered a resounding performance.
Player of the Game
Dan Herron: 16 carries, 74 yards, 2 touchdowns
Although Herron once again failed to accumulate 100 yards on the ground, he was clearly the best player on the field. Herron was determined to lead the offense, and he definitely accomplished that mission.
Play of the Game
Dan Herron's 10 - yard TD run in the 1st quarter
Herron gave the Buckeyes an early lead with a powerful run that revealed why he has become such a fan favorite in Columbus. On this play, "Boom" darted up the middle, broke a tackle, and, while fully extended, reached the football into the end zone.
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