Buckeye Rosters

Recap

Columbus, OH — Before an Ohio State record crowd of 104,189, Ohio State routed the visiting Boilermakers by a final count of 35-9.

The Buckeyes never trailed against the Boilers, jumping out to a 12-0 lead on a 36-yard field goal by Mike Nugent, a safety and then a 15-yard run by tailback Jonathan Wells.

Purdue closed to within six at the half, at 12-6, but the Buckeyes scored 23 unanswered points (including a second safety) after intermission to salt the game away.

Wells finished with 101 yards on 21 carries for his third-consecutive 100-yard game. Quarterback Steve Bellisari turned in his second-consecutive impressive performance, completing 14-of-20 passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns, in the process tying his career-high for TD passes.

Flanker Chris Vance was a one-man highlight show, catching seven passes for 138 yards and one touchdown.

Defensive end Kenny Peterson led a balanced effort with five tackles, including two tackles-for-loss.

Ohio State also had three interceptions, including the seventh of the year by cornerback Derek Ross. The Buckeyes rolled up 429 yards in total offense and held Purdue to just 211, a season-low by an opponent.