The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers in a wild 56-35 affair on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium. The victory gives the Boilermakers the historic Old Oaken Bucket and also makes them bowl eligible.
Indiana vs. Purdue 2012 final score: Boilermakers become bowl eligible with 56-35 victory
The Purdue Boilermakers won the Old Oaken Bucket and became bowl eligible with a wild 56-35 victory over the Indiana Hoosiers.
Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE
The lead changed hands numerous times in this game, but Purdue (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) pulled away late on the backs of quarterback Robert Marve and running back Akeem Shavers. The Boilermakers broke a 35-35 fourth quarter tie on Marve's 73-yard touchdown strike to Shavers with 10:40 left. After Purdue intercepted Indiana's Cameron Coffman, Marve and Shavers connected again on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Shavers' 1-yard touchdown run with 6:14 left iced the game.
Indiana (4-8, 2-6 Big Ten) opened the scoring in explosive fashion on Stephen Houston's 51-yard touchdown scamper. Purdue responded with two touchdowns of their own to close the first quarter before the Hoosiers dominated the second quarter to take a 21-14 lead into the half.
Purdue appeared to take control in the third quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points to go up 35-21 with just over two minutes left in the quarter. But Indiana stormed back to tie the game at 35-35 early in the fourth quarter, with Coffman rushing and throwing for touchdowns. However, the Hoosiers’ defense had no answer for Marve and Shavers.
Box Score Hero: Marve was dynamite, completing 19-of-28 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns to go along with one interception. Meanwhile, Shavers had 27 carries for 126 yards and one score while also catching two passes for 99 yards and two scores.
Rankings Ramifications: Neither team was close to the rankings.
But Did They Cover? Purdue was a 5.5-point favorite, so they covered.
For More On This Game: For more on Purdue, head over to Hammer and Rails. For more on Indiana, check out The Crimson Quarry.
Next Week’s Schedule: Purdue became bowl eligible with the win and will await their invitation. Indiana’s season is over.
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