After giving up 49 points in a win last week against the Indiana Hoosiers, the undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes were once again victimized by big plays in the first quarter of Saturday's Big Ten matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers. The Boilermakers lead 13-7 on the back of two monster touchdown plays.
Purdue running back Akeem Shavers broke free behind Ohio State's defense and hauled in an 83-yard touchdown pass from Caleb TerBush on the Boilermakers' first offensive play of the game. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the long touchdown was the fifth touchdown of 50 or more yards allowed by the Buckeyes this season:
Ohio State has now allowed 5 TD of 50+ yds in 2012. Buckeyes allowed 2 such TDs from 2007-11 (fewest in FBS over that span) #PURvsOSU
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 20, 2012
Ohio State blocked the ensuing extra point, somewhat mitigating the damage. Disaster appeared to strike again for the Buckeyes moments later, when quarterback Braxton Miller fumbled and Purdue recovered. However, the Buckeyes' defense held strong.
After each team went three-and-out, the duo of Miller and running back Carlos Hyde finally got the Ohio State offense on track. A 10-play, 67-yard touchdown drive was capped off by Miller's eight-yard scamper. Hyde's 20-yard run on 4th-and-1 was a key play in the drive.
Purdue immediately struck back with another huge play when Akeem Hunt returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The Boilermakers' special teams later converted a fake punt at the end of the quarter.