Purdue Streaks Past Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State learned the hard way why Purdue has a reputation as a high-scoring team that loves to pass.

Billy Dicken threw for 325 yards, and No. 17 Purdue scored three touchdowns in the third quarter on the way to a 33-20 victory over No. 24 Oklahoma State on Tuesday night in the Alamo Bowl.

“This offense can explode at any time, and that is what happened,” said first-year Purdue coach Joe Tiller.

After a low-scoring first half, the Boilermakers pulled away from the underdog Cowboys in the lively third quarter, extending a 10-6 lead to 30-13 with 3:52 left in the period.

Dicken completed 18 of 34 passes, including two for touchdowns. He had three interceptions. His 325 passing yards set a record for the 5-year-old Alamo Bowl, which is sponsored by Builders Square.

It also was the highest-scoring game in Alamo Bowl history.

“If guys want to be part of a high-powered offense, this is the place to come,” Dicken said. “It’s exciting.”

Tiller called Dicken’s performance one of the “gutsiest” he has seen in 32 years of coaching, noting that Dicken injured his throwing shoulder early in the game.

Purdue opened the second half with a touchdown after gaining control of the ball when Adrian Beasley intercepted Tony Lindsay’s pass and ran 36 yards to the Oklahoma State 6.

Dicken ran in from the 1, and the Boilermakers led 16-6 with 12:02 left. Shane Ryan’s conversion kick missed after the ball was moved back 15 yards because of a personal foul.

Oklahoma State sent backup quarterback Chris Chaloupka into the game on the next drive, and the Cowboys answered with a touchdown of their own with 9:01 left in the quarter. Jamaal Fobbs ran the ball in from 21 yards, capping an 80-yard drive and closing the Cowboys to 16-13.

As Oklahoma State was kicking the extra point, a man clad only in skimpy blue underwear dashed onto the field and was tackled by two police officers in the opposite end zone. The Alamodome crowd of 55,552 cheered as he was led away in handcuffs.

The Boilermakers then responded with a 60-yard pass play from Dicken to Ed Watson, who moved the ball to the Oklahoma State 16. Vinny Sutherland’s 16-yard run gave Purdue a 23-13 lead with 7:34 left in the third period.

Purdue scored on its next possession, on a 69-yard pass from Dicken to Chris Daniels, an Alamo Bowl record for longest reception. The touchdown gave Purdue a 30-13 lead with 3:52 left in the quarter.

“It took the wind out of us,” said Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons. “It hurt us mentally, and with a young team like ours it was hard to catch up.”

The Boilermakers upped their lead to 33-13 early in the fourth quarter.

Purdue 33, Oklahoma St. 20

Purdue 7 3 20 3 33

Oklahoma St. 3 3 7 7 20 OSUFG Sydnes 34 PurAlford 18 pass from Dicken (Ryan kick) OSUFG Sydnes 22 PurFG Ryan 42 PurDicken 1 run (kick failed) OSUFobbs 21 run (Sydnes kick) PurSutherland 16 run (Ryan kick) PurDaniels 69 pass from Dicken (Ryan kick) PurFG Ryan 37 OSUMcQuarters 17 pass from Lindsay (Sydnes kick) A55,552.

Pur OSU First downs 20 24 Rushes-yards 28-129 37-162 Passing 325 206 Comp-Att-Int 18-36-3 17-35-3 Return Yards 77 1 Punts-Avg. 2-45 4-45 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-1 Penalties-Yards 9-81 8-70 Time of Possession 25:35 34:25 RUSHING-Purdue, Dicken 8-43, Watson 13-41, Sutherland 2-38, Haddad 3-9, Graham 1-0, Brees 1-(minus 2). Oklahoma St., Fobbs 11-82, Lindsay 12-61, Aikins 2-17, Simmons 10-11, Chaloupka 2-(minus 9).

PASSING-Purdue, Dicken 18-34-3-325, Alford 0-1-0-0, Brees 0-1-0-0. Oklahoma St., Lindsay 9-18-2-111, Chaloupka 8-17-1-95.

RECEIVING-Purdue, Watson 5-102, Alford 4-61, Jones 3-27, Blackman 2-33, Daniels 1-69, Tillman 1-13, Sutherland 1-12, Winston 1-8. Oklahoma St., Brown 4-52, McQuarters 4-43, Love 3-35, Steggs 2-30, Aikins 2-27, Fobbs 2-19.