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o h i o s t a t e 5 6 , p u r d u e 0 purdue vs. ohio state game story A Look Back At saturday's Top Plays and players BY STACY CLARDIE SClardie@GoldandBlack.com are our top plays and playHere from Purdue's 56-0 loss to ers fourth-ranked Ohio State Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium. Top plays No.3 Purdue's offensive game plan against the undefeated Buckeyes was to "nickel and dime" the defense, taking what was given. Danny Etling broke that rule on the game's second play. Instead of throwing to a checkdown or throwing the ball away, he tried to force the ball into Cameron Posey. After a play action, Etling rolled to right, eyeing Posey, who had been lined up in the slot. But Etling didn't see Doran Grant, who was sagging in zone coverage near the sideline. Even before Etling let go of the ball, Grant was breaking. He picked off Etling's pass then zipped down the left sideline on his way to a 33-yard return for a touchdown. After a 15-yard punt gave Ohio State the ball near midfield, the Buckeyes quickly pushed their lead to 14-0. On second-and-one, tight end Jeff Heuerman lined up on the line on the left side and got a free release on the snap — linebacker Ryan Russell didn't touch him. Heuerman continued to run free to a spot near the 20-yard line on the sideline. That's where he caught the pass from Braxton Miller and easily ran the last 20 yards for the touchdown. Purdue safety Anthony Brown was late to get over, but that was No.2 Tom Campbell Darrell Hazell wanted his Purdue team to start quickly, but that didn't happen. On the Boilermakers' second play, Danny Etling threw a pass that was intercepted by Doran Grant and returned 33 yards for a touchdown. It was the fourth pick-six thrown by a Purdue QB this season. because he was heading toward another receiver who broke open in the middle of the field. With the way Purdue couldn't protect Etling and with the clear edge in skill set with Ohio State's offense over Purdue's defense, the game was out of reach early, but the Buckeyes left no doubt by scoring their fourth touchdown of the first quarter off a Purdue turnover. After Brandon Cottom No.1 couldn't gather in a handoff from Etling, Ohio State pounced on the fumble and had the ball nearly in its red zone. By second down, it was firstand-goal on the 2, and Miller simply toyed with the Boilermakers, scrambling laterally down the line of scrimmage, seemingly able to cut ahead for a TD at any time but instead opting for a shovel pass for the touchdown. GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 9 • 20