BTN.com staff, September 10, 2011
(AP) Justin Allen blocked Carson Wiggs' 31-yard field-goal attempt as time expired and Rice snapped its 10-year losing streak against Bowl Championship Series teams with a 24-22 victory over Purdue on Saturday. The Owls (1-1) had lost 22 consecutive games to BCS opponents since a 15-13 win over Duke on Sept. 8, 2001. Rice had not beaten a Big Ten team since a 40-34 win at Northwestern in 1997. The Boilermakers got the ball near midfield with 1:52 remaining, and three long runs by Ralph Bolden moved them inside the 20. Purdue was content to let the clock run down so that Wiggs' kick would be the final play. But Allen surged through the middle of the line and blocked it, and the Owls' sideline emptied onto the field in celebration. Read the full AP recap, check out the box score and see our Big Ten scoreboard.
Check out our quarter-by-quarter recap, powered by Narrative Science:
FINAL: Taylor McHargue found Sam McGuffie frequently, as both helped Rice notch a 24-22 victory over Purdue on Saturday at Rice Stadium. McHargue hit McGuffie for 38 yards on two catches during the win. Despite facing a seven-point deficit, the Boilermakers closed to within striking distance of the Owls late, but Rice survived the comeback attempt and secured the win. Caleb TerBush did his best to carry Purdue's offense, turning 16 carries into 68 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Owls' McHargue passed for 230 yards, completing 19 of 29 throws. He tossed two touchdowns and no interceptions. McHargue was also a threat on the ground, as he rushed for 40 yards on 16 attempts. Rice's offense finished the game having gained 357 yards, including 242 passing yards on 20 completions. The Owls' running game proved effective, netting 115 yards on 48 rushes. The Boilermakers racked up 366 total yards, including 183 yards passing while completing 18 of 32 attempts. Purdue also rushed 40 times for 183 yards. TerBush threw for 183 yards while completing 18 of 31 passes for the Boilermakers. TerBush tossed one touchdown and no interceptions.
FOURTH QUARTER: Randy Kitchens had a productive quarter for Rice. He caught one pass for 35 yards and the Owls kept Purdue at bay for a 24-22 victory. A 52-yard drive that ended when Carson Wiggs kicked a 27-yard field goal helped the Boilermakers narrow the deficit to 24-22. Rice's Taylor McHargue went over 200 yards passing for the game in the quarter, he finished the game 230 yards passing.
THIRD QUARTER: Rice's Sam McGuffie led the offense in the third quarter. He ran for six yards and caught a 19-yard touchdown pass and the Owls now lead 24-19. Taylor McHargue tossed a 19-yard touchdown to McGuffie to break the tie and give Rice a 24-17 advantage after a 15-play, 80-yard drive. Purdue closed the gap when they got a safety to take a 24-19 lead. The Owls will start the fourth quarter with possession on their 12-yard line.
SECOND QUARTER: Rice's Taylor McHargue threw for 103 yards and one touchdown and ran for 19 yards in the quarter, but the two teams are tied 17-17 at the end of the second. Purdue tied things up at 10 when a seven-play, 35-yard drive ended after Carson Wiggs drilled a 28-yard field goal. The Boilermakers' drive began with good field position at the Rice 46-yard line when Purdue's punt return. A four-play, 46-yard drive by the Boilermakers ended when Caleb TerBush found Crosby Wright open for a 19-yard touchdown pass, breaking the tie and giving Purdue a 17-10 lead. A punt return set the Boilermakers up at the Owls' 46-yard line to start. Rice tied the score at 17 apiece after McHargue hit Luke Willson in the endzone from five yards out to cap a 11-play, 59-yard drive. The Owls only looked to the running game for three carries. Rice is set to receive to start the second half.
FIRST QUARTER: Purdue picked up 64 yards in the ground game during the first quarter and the Boilermakers lead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Rice got on the scoreboard first, rattling off a 13-play, 71-yard drive that ended in a score when Chris Boswell kicked a 33-yard field goal, putting the Owls on top, 3-0. Caleb TerBush's five-yard touchdown run put Purdue on top 7-3 after capping a nine-play, 80-yard drive. The Boilermakers kept the ball on the ground during the drive, throwing only two passes. Rice will start the second quarter with the ball on Purdue's 45-yard line.
