Oregon State 38-21 Purdue (September 21, 2024) Match Report

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Jam Griffin ran for 137 yards and a touchdown, and Oregon State took advantage of a strong running attack in a 38-21 win over Purdue on Saturday.

Griffin's 14-yard touchdown run with 9:57 left extended the lead to 31-14 and put the Beavers (3-1) on their way to a comeback win after losing to rival Oregon 49-14.

“What impressed me about them was that even after the game last week, when we talked after the game, nobody hung their head,” Oregon State coach Trent Bray said. “They handle their issues very maturely.”

Oregon State quarterback Gevani McCoy was effective with his arms and legs, completing 10 of 18 passes for 104 yards and running for 66 yards, often keeping the offense alive with runs on option plays.

After allowing 362 yards on the ground and six rushing touchdowns in last week's 66-7 loss to Notre Dame, Purdue (1-2) again struggled to stop the run. Oregon State gained 341 of its 445 total yards on the ground with four rushing touchdowns.

“We have a dominant running game,” McCoy said.

Anthony Hankerson added 89 yards and two scores.

Oregon State ran 75 offensive plays, the Boilermakers 47.

“We need to play more complementary football,” said Purdue coach Ryan Walters. “On defense, they executed the plays we had practiced.”

Oregon State linebacker Zakaih Saez intercepted Hudson Card's first pass attempt of the game – a swing pass intended for running back Reggie Love III – and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Hankerson's 1-yard touchdown run capped a 12-play, 71-yard drive, and the Beavers extended their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.

Card's 33-yard touchdown pass to tight end Max Klare reduced the lead to 14-7 at 6:30 of the second quarter.

Late in the first half, McCoy completed four passes for 69 yards, setting up Everett Hayes' 29-yard field goal with three seconds left to give the team a 17-7 halftime lead.

The Beavers failed to complete a fourth down pass to Purdue's 3 late in the third quarter.

But after forcing a punt, Oregon State wide receiver Zachary Card scored on a 26-yard jet sweep to increase the lead to 24-7.

Purdue responded with a 2-yard touchdown by Reggie Love III and trailed 24-14 with 12:49 minutes left.

On the first possession of the game, Oregon State attempted fourth-and-one from its own 29-yard line, and McCoy's sideline pass was incomplete.

However, Purdue was unable to capitalize when Devin Mockobee lost a fumble at the Beavers' 12-yard line.

WHAT TO TAKE AWAY

Purdue: The Boilermakers' run defense is a problem area heading into Big Ten play. Devin Mockobee was a bright spot, rushing for 168 yards and scoring a touchdown.

Oregon State: The Beavers rebounded from a 49-14 loss to Oregon and are heading into the off week on a positive note. McCoy completed some throws that had been missing from the Beavers' passing attack and extended the offense with his running power.

Next

Purdue: The Boilermakers host Nebraska on September 28th.

Oregon State: The Beavers play at home against Colorado State on October 5

—— Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football