Blough throws for 300 yards, 2 TDs; Purdue tops Nevada 24-14

 David Blough threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, Markell Jones had a go-ahead score in the third quarter and Purdue rallied past Nevada 24-14 on Saturday.

Purdue, which turned it over four times, pulled within 14-10 late in the second quarter on Blough's 48-yard touchdown pass to Bilal Marshall. Purdue's defense dominated the third, limiting Nevada to 23 yards on 11 plays.

"We showed a lot of character," said Blough, who was intercepted five times during a loss to Cincinnati on Sept. 10. "The TD pass to Marshall at the end of the first half was the play of the game. It was big for us."

Jones' 5-yard TD run capped a 12-play, 49-yard drive and the Boilermakers (2-1) added a TD with1:17 remaining in the fourth on Blough's 51-yard pass to Brycen Hopkins. Jones finished with 124 yards for his third career 100-yard game.

"To be down at halftime, the guys showed a lot of grit to overcome four turnovers," Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said. "The defense was phenomenal in the second half, and the score before halftime gave us momentum. It lifted our sideline. At halftime, we had a lot of energy in that locker room."

Tyler Stewart threw touchdown passes of 15 yards to Hasaan Henderson and 6 yards to James Butler for Nevada (2-2). The Wolf Pack converted a Blough interception and a Jones fumble into first-half touchdowns for a 14-3 lead.

The Wolf Pack had an opportunity to pull even at 17 with 4:16 remaining in the fourth, but Brent Zuzo hooked a 27-yard field-goal attempt wide left, and Blough iced it.

"They made plays at the end when we should have," Nevada coach Brian Polian said. "There were a lot of mistakes made in the game, and things didn't always go well. Still, we had a chance to win the game in the end, and we didn't do it."

Purdue outgained Nevada 466-253.

TAKEAWAYS:

PURDUE: The Boilermakers were sloppy offensively throughout the game, but their defense pressured Stewart throughout the day and did not allow a point during the game's final 35:56.

NEVADA: The Wolf Pack came in featuring a strong rushing attack, averaging 208.3 yards a game, but had only 90 at halftime and lost 4 yards rushing during the third quarter when all the momentum shifted to Purdue. Including five sacks, Nevada finished with only 68 rushing yards.

UP NEXT:

PURDUE: The Boilermakers begin Big Ten play at Maryland on Oct. 1.

NEVADA: The Wolf Pack start Mountain West competition at Hawaii on Oct. 1.