As poorly as Ohio State played through three quarters, the game was still well within grasp heading into the fourth quarter.
The Buckeyes trailed 21-6 entering the game's final period, needing just two scores and from a high-powered offense and a few stops on the other end to get right back in the game.
Then the floodgates opened.
Ohio State had been bottling up the explosive, home-run hitting Purdue offense for the most part, not allowing a score of more than 13 yards through the game's first three quarters.
But in the fourth, the Boilermakers rattled off three touchdowns of over 40 yards and housed an interception to ensure that any late Buckeye offensive surge would fall short.
With just under 12 minutes to play, Purdue running back D.J. Knox busted a 42-yard rushing touchdown to put the Boilers up 28-6, then broke loose again to answer an Ohio State touchdown, making it 35-13.
IT'S GETTING LATE EARLY AT ROSS-ADE STADIUM! @blockknox1 gives @BoilerFootball a 3-score lead, and No. 2 Ohio State is in trouble on the road: pic.twitter.com/pnGXT01yip
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 21, 2018
This is not deja vu all over again...
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 21, 2018
This is @BoilerFootball RB @blockknox1 rumbling for his third TD of the night and a likely dagger in the comeback hopes of No. 2 Ohio State: pic.twitter.com/3adtpVXZRb
The Buckeyes scored again to cut the score to 35-20, but Purdue punched back with a back-breaking big play once again as freshman receiver Rondale Moore found the end zone with a 43-yard catch-and-run.
This can't be stopped.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 21, 2018
Unbelievable play by an unbelievable athlete on an unbelievable night: pic.twitter.com/LiNUIqinmU
This time, Ohio State did not punch back, as Dwayne Haskins threw an interception to Purdue's Markus Bailey which he returned 41 yards for a touchdown to give Purdue the final 42-20 lead.
The Buckeyes waited all game for the offense to arrive. When it finally did, the defense could no longer contain Purdue's own high-powered offense. It was just that kind of day for Ohio State.
