Rewinding Oregon State Football's Triumph Over Purdue

A Thrilling Victory in West Lafayette

Oregon State University's football team secured a hard-fought victory against Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, on September 17, 2023. The Beavers, led by second-year head coach Jonathan Smith, overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to emerge victorious with a final score of 31-28.

A Tale of Two Halves

The first half of the game belonged to Purdue. The Boilermakers' offense, led by quarterback Aidan O'Connell, drove down the field with ease, scoring two touchdowns and a field goal to take a 17-7 lead into halftime.

However, the Beavers came out of the locker room with renewed determination. Oregon State's defense forced three turnovers in the second half, including two interceptions by cornerback Rejzohn Wright. The offense, led by quarterback Ben Gulbranson, took advantage of these turnovers, scoring two touchdowns to tie the game at 24-24.

A Dramatic Finish

With just over five minutes remaining in the game, Oregon State's offense faced a 4th and 1 situation at the Purdue 35-yard line. Smith elected to go for it, and Gulbranson completed a pass to wide receiver Tre'Shaun Harrison for a first down. Two plays later, tailback Damien Martinez punched in a touchdown to give the Beavers a 31-24 lead.

Purdue had one final chance to tie the game, but O'Connell's Hail Mary pass attempt was intercepted by Wright as time expired, securing the victory for Oregon State.

Key Plays and Players

• Rejzohn Wright's interceptions: Wright's two interceptions in the second half were crucial in Oregon State's comeback victory.
• Tre'Shaun Harrison's first down: Harrison's catch on 4th and 1 kept Oregon State's game-winning drive alive.
• Aidan O'Connell's 479 passing yards: O'Connell had a prolific game for Purdue, passing for 479 yards, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Beavers' defense in the second half.

What's Next for Oregon State

With the victory, Oregon State improves to 2-1 on the season. The Beavers will return home to Corvallis to face Montana State on September 24th. Purdue, now 1-2 on the season, will host Florida Atlantic on September 24th.