WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Caleb TerBush passed for 219 yards in his first start and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute to help Purdue beat Middle Tennessee State 27-24 on Saturday in the opener for both teams.
Purdue, trailing 24-20, got a late stop to earn a shot at the win, and TerBush led the Boilermakers 85 yards in 11 plays. His 35-yard touchdown pass to Antavian Edison came with 49 seconds left.
Middle Tennessee went for the tie as time expired, but Purdue’s Ricardo Allen blocked a 47-yard field-goal attempt by Alan Gendreau. Allen had fumbled on a punt return early in the game that led to a Middle Tennessee score.
Purdue’s Ralph Bolden ran for 120 yards after missing last season with a torn ACL.
Cody Kilgore passed for 330 yards and two touchdowns for MTSU.
