DaytonDailyNews.com

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The television networks keep insisting on broadcasting Ohio State games in prime-time, but their ratings may start to suffer unless opponents can provide a little more drama.

Quarterback Todd Boeckman threw two touchdown passes, Ryan Pretorius kicked three field goals and a relentless defense shut down the Big Ten's most prolific offense in a 23-7 victory over Purdue Saturday night.

The Boilermakers, who finished with just four rushing yards, didn't tread inside the OSU 40-yard line until the final two minutes, scoring against a mixture of subs and starters with 10 seconds left.

"The way our defense hit them planted some seeds of doubt — they hadn't been hit like that," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "And striking early like we did was huge — they hadn't been behind."

Boeckman engineered a smooth 87-yard TD drive on his team's opening possession, delighting about 15,000 OSU fans in a sell-out crowd of 65,497. He hit receiver Ray Small with a perfect spiral at the goal line for a 26-yard score.

After a short punt, the Buckeyes rambled 43 yards for a 14-0 lead. Boeckman connected with Brian Hartline for a six-yard TD out of a five-receiver set.

With the Buckeye defense baring its fangs, Boeckman and his cohorts started again with prime field position and picked up a season-long 44-yard field goal from Pretorius for a 17-0 lead with 10:21 to go in the first half.

Boeckman finished 17-of-29 passing for 200 yards. He threw three interceptions, all in the second half on deep passes.

Running back Chris Wells had 85 yards on 18 carries but suffered an ankle injury with 5:25 to go in the third quarter and didn't return.

The No. 4 Buckeyes (6-0, 3-0) should move up in the polls with No. 2 Southern Cal's defeat. But Tressel said: "It's early in the season. We're only half-way through the regular-season. I guess my reaction is we'd better go back and watch the film and see how we can get better — 'cause we have a chance."

Although he's had a recurring ankle injury, Wells said he recovered quickly and was disappointed about being left on the sideline.

"I wanted to go back into the game, but the coach didn't let me," he said, his eyes downcast.

"We got the win, and I'm happy about that, but I'm not completely happy."

Asked what would have satisfied him, he said, "Getting to go back in the game."

The Buckeyes matched their school record of 17 straight league victories. They've reached that standard three times before: 1954-56, 1967-69 and 1974-76.

Michigan owns the all-time conference mark with 19 in a row (1990-92).

OSU, which has a school-record 24 straight regular-season wins, hosts Kent State at noon Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or at dharris@DaytonDailyNews.com