Purdue scores early and outlasts a late Marshall charge in 51-41 victory

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - After a week of believing that the Purdue defense would step up and contain a Marshall offense that has averaged 41 points and nearly 600 yards of total offense, the defense made enough plays down the stretch to secure the 51-41 victory.

After trading touchdowns early, the Boilermakers jumped out to a big lead thanks in large part to the play from the Boilermakers secondary.

During a quick second-quarter Marshall meltdown, Rakeem Cato threw three picks and Purdue turned each into touchdowns including a 39-yard return from Ricardo Allen and a 76-yard return from Josh Johnson. Allen's fourth career TD off an interception gave him the school record, breaking a three-way tie with Mike Rose and Rod Woodson. And when Johnson scored five plays later, it marked the first time in school history which the Boilermakers scored twice on interception returns in the same game.

When the meltdown ended, the Boilermakers led 42-14, but Marshall would respond with a great third quarter of play.

Cato opened the second half with a 28-yard TD pass to Hoskins to make it 42-21. Then the Thundering Herd blocked Cody Webster's punt and linebacker Derek Mitchell ran it back 35 yards for a TD. That cut the lead to 42-28 with 6:09 left in the third quarter.

TerBush finished his afternoon 27 of 37 for 294 yards with four TDs, three to Gary Bush who also racked up seven receptions, in Purdue's final non-conference tune up.

Purdue improves their season record to 3-1 and will open Big Ten play with a 4:00 p.m. game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ross-Ade Stadium next Saturday.