Maybe all those close losses were practice for this Saturday afternoon moment, when Purdue faced two generations of failure, when opportunity came and all the Boilers needed was one stop, one play, one sack.
This time they got what they needed and the Michigan losing streak is over.
Purdue (4-6) won at Michigan Stadium for the first time since 1966 with Saturday’s 38-36 victory. It did it by rallying from a 24-10 halftime deficit, then by stopping the Wolverines’ 2-point conversion try by sacking quarterback Tate Forcier in the final, furious minutes that would have sent the game into overtime.
The Boilers, who have four losses by seven points or less, ended their 17-game losing streak at Michigan Stadium and beat Michigan in consecutive years for the first time since the mid-1960s.
Quarterback Joey Elliott threw for a career-high 367 yards and two touchdowns, then ran for another, as the Boilers won the second half, 28-12. The victory ended an 11-game road losing streak, tied for the longest in the nation with Utah State. It was the first time they have beaten Michigan and Ohio State for the first time since 2000. Victories against Michigan State (5-5) and Indiana (4-6) will make them bowl eligible.
This was not a Michigan juggernaut. This was not Ohio State. The Wolverines (5-5) were vulnerable with shaky defense, a turnover-prone offense and a lack of confidence that comes from losses in four of their previous five games. Now make it losses in five of their last six games. They’ve been outscored 75-12 in the second half in their last three games.
Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, who endured a 3-9 record last season (the worst record in school history), broke down after his post-game press conference.
Purdue tailback Ralph Bolden finished with 98 rushing yards. Receiver Keith Smith had 11 catches for 84 yards.
