ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Purdue Football dropped its Saturday night clash at No. 21 Michigan, 21-16, in a hard-fought effort against its third ranked opponent of the season.
After Michigan struck first with under two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Purdue responded with a 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that lasted nine minutes and 30 seconds. Antonio Harris capped off the drive by taking a direct snap out of the wildcat and rushing up the middle for a two-yard score.
The drive was Purdue’s most plays in a scoring sequence since a 19-play drive against Illinois in 2022.
In the second quarter, Hudauri Hines undercut a throw by Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood in the red zone in the final two minutes of the half. The interception was Hines’ first of his career and the third by a Boilermaker this season.
The Wolverines took a 14-7 lead into halftime, despite the Boilermakers controlling the time of possession 19:55 to 10:05.
Out of the half, the Boilermakers cut into the Michigan lead courtesy of a career-long 50-yard field goal from Spencer Portath at the nine-minute mark of the third quarter. The field goal was Porath’s third conversion of at least 40 yards this season.
Purdue continued to gain momentum in the third when CJ Nunnally IV forced an Underwood fumble inside the five-yard line that bounced through the end zone and resulted in a touchback. The play tied Nunnally IV with Hershey McLaurin for the team lead with his second forced fumble of the season.
Michigan added another touchdown in the fourth quarter before Ryan Browne connected with Malachi Thomas on a five-yard score with six minutes remaining that cut the deficit to 21-16, a score that would hold through the final whistle.
Browne finished the game 19-of-24 for 133 yards and a touchdown. Thomas finished atop the Boilermakers with 15 rushes for 68 yards and his receiving touchdown was his second score in as many games.
Tahj Ra-El led the Purdue defense with 13 tackles, his third double-digit effort of the season, and Mani Powell led the pass rushing attack with 1.5 sacks.
UP NEXT
Purdue is back in Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8 to face the nation’s top-ranked team, Ohio State, at 1 p.m. ET.