Purdue quarterback Robert Marve threw four touchdown passes as the Boilermakers defeated Indiana 56-35 Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium to become bowl eligible.
The Boilermakers (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten) won the Bucket game for the second straight year. And for the second year in a row, the win against Indiana got Purdue to the six victories needed to become bowl eligible.
The Hoosiers struck first when Stephen Houston scored on a 51-yard run.
The Boilermakers answered with a 77-yard scoring drive. Brandon Cottom scored on a 14-yard run as Purdue tied the game at 7.
Purdue took the lead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Robert Marve to Antavian Edison.
The Hoosiers scored twice in the second quarter. Houston had an 8-yard touchdown run to help tie the game at 14 with 5:50 left in the half.
Purdue made it to IU's 15-yard line on the next drive. Facing a third-and-8, quarterback Marve threw a pass that was tipped by defensive tackle Zack Shaw. The ball went off a Purdue player and into the hands of Indiana safety Greg Heban, who returned it 70 yards to the Boilermakers' 16.
IU capitalized on the mistake with a 1-yard TD run by Houston.
The Boilermakers scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, two off of turnovers.
O.J. Ross broke two tackles on the way to a 19-yard TD to help the Boilermakers tie the game at 21 with 11:18 left in the quarter.
Purdue cornerback Frankie Williams intercepted a pass to end IU's next drive. He returned it to Purdue's 41.
Marve threw a 58-yard pass to Crosby Wright on the next play to IU's 1. Rob Henry then scored on a 1-yard run to put the Boilermakers ahead.
IU fumbled in its next possession. Will Lucas recovered for Purdue.
The Boilermakers scored on a 25-yard pass from Henry to Gary Bush, making it 35-21 with 3:54 to go.
Indiana came right back. A 46-yard pass from Cameron Coffman to Kofi Hughes gave the Hoosiers a first-and-goal from Purdue's 7. Coffman eventually scored on a 1-yard run to get within 35-28.
Indiana tied the game at 35 after getting a 6-yard TD pass from Coffman to Cody Latimer with 12:14 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Purdue responded with three straight touchdowns.
Shavers turned a short pass into a 73-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead.
Indiana's next possession ended with an interception. Marve then threw a 26-yard TD pass to Shavers to make it 49-35.
Another interception led to more points for the Boilermakers. Shavers scored on a 1-yard run, stretching the lead to 56-35.
IU finishes the season with 4-8 overall record, 2-6 in the Big Ten.
