The Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0, 5-0) won via a shutout for the first time this season over the Purdue Boilermakers (1-7,0-4) 56-0. There was a real sense of urgency from the beginning. It started with a 33 yard interception returned for a touchdown by Doran Grant. Braxton Miller followed up with a 40 yard touchdown pass to Tight End Jeff Heuerman. Miller continued the onslaught with an eight yard touchdown pass to Tight End Nick Vannett. Corey Brown scored the final touchdown of the first quarter, a 2 yard pass from Miller. The Buckeyes led 28-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Backup quarterback Kenny Guiton threw a one yard touchdown pass to Chris Fields. Miller followed up with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Ezekiel Elliot for the final score of the first half. The Buckeyes led 42-0 at halftime.
Guiton rushed for two touchdowns in the second half to finish off the downtrodden Boilermakers. He recorded 98 rushing yards.
Miller shines again
Miller threw for 233 yards and four touchdowns. Heuerman led the receivers with five receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown. Brown caught 4 passes for 27 yards and one touchdown.
Carlos Hyde unstoppable
Carlos Hyde continues his streak of running for over 100 rushing yards. Hyde rushed for 111 yards. He did not score a touchdown.
Defense stepping up
The young defense of the Buckeyes has been a real strength as of late. After a sensational performance against the Penn State Nittany Lions last Saturday on primetime national television, the battle tested defense was on a mission to suffocate the Boilermaker offense. Grant’s interception returned for a touchdown signals a change.
Purdue quarterback Danny Etling was held to 89 passing yards and one interception.
Auditioning for the BCS National Championship– Blowouts needed
The shutout is what Buckeyes need at this point. There is already a slim chance Ohio State will take on Alabama. The weak schedule is holding back much of the talk of a return to the biggest college football game of the year and the last of its kind since the playoff system goes into effect next year.
The chances will certainly take a sharp increase after the Miami/ Florida State game. Miami could get a temporary jump to #3 with a win unless the Buckeyes get rewarded for annihilating the one win Boilermakers.
After routing Penn State and Purdue, Ohio State is developing a seasoned resume for consideration for the BCS National Championship. This win was not just about blowing out a 1 win team. This is an extra point for the BCS National Championship resume.
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