DaytonDailyNews.com

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue had displayed some offensive swagger while throttling its first five foes this season, leading the Big Ten in scoring and total yards.

But on a fourth-down gamble in the first half against Ohio State, quarterback Curtis Painter and his mates couldn't muster enough firepower to pick up a measly three feet.

Trailing 17-0 with 4:55 to go in the second quarter, the Boilermakers chose not to go toe-to-toe with the Buckeyes on fourth-and-1 from the OSU 40-yard line. Painter instead tried a screen pass, was hurried by linebacker Marcus Freeman on a blitz and misfired to running back Kory Sheets.

One possession earlier, the Buckeyes tried to go for a knock-out punch, passing up a 42-yard field-goal attempt with a 17-point lead.

On a fourth-and-2 from the Purdue 25, running back Chris Wells was stopped by linebacker Anthony Heygood for a 3-yard loss.

Wells gimpy

Chris Wells carried just twice on the opening possession before aggravating an ankle injury. Maurice Wells subbed in and picked up a 20-yard gain during the 87-yard touchdown drive.

After returning on the second series, Chris Wells gained 85 yards on 18 carries before being injured again and limping off at 5:25 of the third quarter.

Upset celebrated

OSU officials were doing a little scoreboard watching during the game.

As No. 2 Southern Cal was going down in defeat to Stanford, athletic director Gene Smith poked his head into press row and asked for an update.

After being told the upset was all but sealed, Smith happily skipped back to his luxury suite.

Kickoffs belted

A pair of Buckeyes shared kickoff duties, and both had productive nights.

Back-up kicker Andrew Good started the game with a boot that went seven yards deep in the end zone for a touchback. Punter A.J. Trapasso matched that by putting the next one eight yards beyond the goal line.

Trapasso, who had another touchback in the third quarter, also boomed a 61-yard punt (with no return).

The Buckeyes went into the game with just four touchbacks this season. Sophomore Aaron Pettrey, who was expected to be the kickoff specialist, has been sidelined all year with a groin injury.

Tidbits

• Receiver Greg Orton, a junior from Wayne High School, had two catches for first downs on Purdue's opening possession before OSU forced a punt near midfield.

• OSU's Ryan Pretorius kicked a 44-yard field goal in the second quarter, his longest of the season.

• Both teams had 15-yard penalties on OSU's 87-yard TD drive on its first possession. Guard Steve Rehring was called for a late hit, but Purdue cornerback Royce Adams gave it back with a pass-interference infraction.