By Garin Turner
The Syracuse Orange (3-0) defeated the Purdue Boilermakers (1-2) 32-29 despite Purdue QB Aiden O’Connell throwing for 424 yards and three touchdowns.
Purdue took a 6-3 lead into the second quarter when Devin Mockobee scored on a 15-yard run. The Boilermakers missed the extra point. A 41-yard field goal by Mitchell Fineran gave Purdue a 9-3 lead going into halftime.
The Orange scored their first touchdown of the game on a three-yard pass from Garrett Shrader to Isaiah Jones to give them a 10-9 lead in the 3rd quarter.
O’Connell threw for his first TD at the 11:25 mark of the 4thquarter when he found Payne Durham for an 11-yard pass to put Purdue back up 15-10.
Shrader connected with Oronde Gadsden II for a 46-yard score to put the Orange up 18-15 after a two-point conversion.
Syracuse would score again on a 17-yard pick-six by Caleb Okechukwu with 8:08 left in the game to put The Orange up 25-15.
Purdue would score twice, once on a 55-yard TD reception from O’Connell to Charlie Jones and then a 12-yard TD throw from O’Connell to Durham to give Purdue a 29-25 lead with 51 seconds left.
Syracuse would score with seven seconds left on a 25-yard TD reception from Shrader to Gadsden II.
Shrader went 13/29 for 181 yards and three TDs. He also led The Orange in rushing with 83 yards on 17 carries.
Gadsden II had six receptions for 112 yards and two scored for Syracuse.
Mikel Jones and Garrett Williams had 10 tackles a piece for Syracuse.
For the Boilermakers, Jones led all receivers with 11 receptions for 188 yards and a score. Durham added nine receptions for 83 yards and two scores.
Sanoussi Kane had seven tackles for Purdue.
UP NEXT
Syracuse welcomes Virginia next week in its ACC opener.
Purdue hosts FAU next week.
