Purdue has done it again. For the second time in three weeks, the Boilermakers knocked off an unbeaten Big Ten team ranked in the top 10.
The victim on Oct. 16 was No. 2 Iowa. This time the victim was No. 6 Michigan State as Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O'Connell threw for 535 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-29 victory.
All three of O'Connell's touchdown passes came in the first half as Purdue took a 21-14 at intermission. Michigan State responded early in the third quarter with quarterback Payton Thorne running in for a 32-yard touchdown to tie the game.
From there, O'Connell went back to work, leading four scoring drives - one for a touchdown and three for field goals - as the Boilermakers looked to take control of the game with a 37-21 lead.
Thorne quickly marched the Spartans downfield and a touchdown pass to Tre Mosley and two-point conversion completion to Maliq Carr with 5:03 left.
O'Connell then iced the game as Purdue drove for a field goal and ate up more than four minutes off the clock.
David Bell led all receivers for the Boilermakers with 11 catches for 217 yards and touchdown.
Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III, the nation's leading rusher, had 136 yards and a score in a losing effort. The Spartans, who were No. 3 in the College Football Playoff committee rankings, struggled on defense after an emotional comeback win against rival Michigan last week. They still have control of their destiny in the Big Ten East and possible trip to the conference title game.
An earlier loss Saturday by Wake Forest leaves just four unbeatens in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
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