WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — After inclement weather delayed the original 3:40 p.m. ET kickoff to 6:45 p.m., Purdue Football dropped its Big Ten Conference opener, 33-17, to USC on Saturday night.
In the third straight game at Ross-Ade Stadium to start the season, 58,065 fans stuck it out with the Boilermakers through the lengthy delay.
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Browne completed 24-of-39 passes (61.5%) for 305 yards and a pair of touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.
Senior running back Devin Mockobee led Purdue in rushing with 12 carries for 45 yards. He now sits 167 yards behind Scott Dierking (2,863) for fourth place on Purdue’s all-time rushing yardage list.
The Boilermakers (2-1, 0-1 B1G) found the end zone early in the third quarter on a trick play. Browne threw it backwards to wide receiver Michael Jackson III who tossed it backwards across the field back to Browne, however USC linebacker Eric Gentry deflected the ball onto the ground. Browne scooped up the loose ball and carried it 34 yards to pay dirt.
Purdue later engineered an eight-play, 63-yard drive capped by a nine-yard touchdown pass to receiver Nitro Tuggle. It was Tuggle’s second career touchdown and his second consecutive game with a score. He paced Purdue’s receiving with seven catches and 70 yards.
Purdue’s three interceptions in USC territory made the biggest difference in the end. USC (3-0, 1-0 B1G) totaled 460 yards of offense to the Boilermakers’ 365.
Charles Correa and Myles Slusher led Purdue’s defense with 12 and 11 tackles, respectively, and each set a new career-high. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava finished 17-of-28 with 282 yards passing and one rushing score.
Demeco Kennedy recorded his first career sack on Maiava for a nine-yard loss in the second quarter.
Sophomore kicker Spencer Porath once again converted his only field goal attempt to remain perfect this season, booting a 39-yarder in the second quarter. He is the first Boiler to hit his first four kicks of a season since Mitchell Fineran made his first nine in 2021.
Jack McCallister concluded the night with a career-long 68-yard punt and had three total punts for a 54.3-yard average.
UP NEXT
The Boilers play their first road game under head coach Barry Odom next Saturday. Purdue will face Notre Dame for the 89th time in program history, with the historic Shillelagh Trophy on the line.
Kickoff from Notre Dame Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with the broadcast on NBC.