Purdue hoping strong Big Ten play will continue

Purdue's last 12 games look like those of a Top 25 team.

During that stretch, the Boilermakers have a 6-2 record in Big Ten play, including a home win over then-No. 7 Ohio State last season and victories at Michigan and Northwestern.

Overall, Purdue has won eight of 12 dating to the middle of last season. Now, the program is positioned to take a giant leap forward under second-year coach Danny Hope.

The Boilermakers (4-2, 2-0), who join Iowa and Michigan State as the only unbeaten teams in the Big Ten, play at No. 11 Ohio State on Saturday with a chance to emerge as a contender in the conference title race.

Of course, the Boilermakers haven't won at Ohio State since 1988.

''You only get so many opportunities like this in life,'' Hope said, looking ahead after last Saturday's 28-17 win over Minnesota. ''There are a lot of elements we will have to overcome, but it really is a great opportunity.''

Purdue's situation is a bit unexpected. The team entered this season with high expectations after winning four of its final six games last season, but starting quarterback Robert Marve and top receiver Keith Smith have been lost for the season because of knee injuries.

The Boilermakers have compensated with an effective running game. Purdue rushed for 230 yards against Minnesota, and its five straight games with more than 200 yards on the ground is the school's longest streak since 1973. The Boilermakers are averaging 202.3 yards rushing a game and 5.0 yards per carry.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Rob Henry leads the running game with 356 yards and four touchdowns, and running back Dan Dierking has added 353 yards and three scores.

Henry ran for 132 yards in Purdue's 20-17 upset win at Northwestern, then he followed that with a four-touchdown effort against Minnesota that earned him conference freshman of the week honors. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 165 yards against Minnesota, the best passing performance so far for a quarterback best known for his speed.

Though Henry is unbeaten in two starts, he hasn't been tested in the type of environment he'll face in Columbus, Ohio.

''I've heard some loud stadiums, but I've heard Ohio State is a different level, so we'll have to prepare for that all week,'' he said. ''It will be a tough game, no doubt about that.''

Purdue's defense has been steady, aside from the Toledo game. The Boilermakers have allowed more than 23 points just once this season, and they lead the Big Ten in sacks. Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, who dominated last year's game against the Buckeyes, leads the Big Ten in sacks, tackles for loss and fumbles forced.

It's unlikely that Ohio State will overlook Purdue. The Boilermakers shocked Ohio State 26-18 last year to knock the Buckeyes out of the national title race.

Just a month ago, Purdue's season looked like it might go off course. The Boilermakers lost 31-20 at home against Toledo in their final non-conference game, the same day Marve was hurt. The team got it together during its bye week, has won two straight, and now takes momentum into Saturday's game.

''We've been building it the last two games,'' Dierking said. ''We had a setback against Toledo but I think that made us a better team because we don't want to experience that feeling again.''