Redskin

Purdue, David Bell stun No. 2 Iowa, taking Big Ten down to 2 undefeated teams


No. 2 Iowa struggled on offense and couldn’t contain Purdue receiver David Bell on defense, losing its first game of the season 24-7 to the Boilermakers on Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa. One week after achieving their highest ranking since 1985 following a momentous win over Penn State, the Hawkeyes suffered a critical blow to their College Football Playoff hopes.

Bell, who averaged 159 yards per game in his two previous meetings with Iowa, torched the Hawkeyes for 240 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions. His touchdown, a 21-yard catch early in the fourth quarter, put Purdue ahead 24-7. The Hawkeyes ensuing drive ended when quarterback Spencer Petras was held to no gain on a fourth-and-1 from the Purdue 10-yard line.

Boilermakers quarterback Aidan O’Connell completed 30 of 40 passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns. Purdue used three quarterbacks throughout Saturday’s game, with Jack Plummer and Austin Burton contributing 30 rushing yards.

The win was the Boilermakers’ first over a ranked team on the road since Oct. 18, 2003, at Wisconsin — the longest active Power 5 drought. Saturday also marked Purdue’s first road win over a top-10 team since defeating No. 2 Notre Dame in 1974. Purdue has won four of its last five against Iowa.

Iowa’s offense was held to 271 total yards. The Hawkeyes ran for just 76 yards — with 32 coming on one play — and Petras completed just 53.1 percent of his passes for 195 yards and four interceptions. The Iowa defense, which led the nation with 20 takeaways in its first six games, forced one turnover.

Iowa’s loss leaves the Big Ten with two undefeated teams: Michigan State and Michigan. The Spartans eked out a 20-15 win over Indiana on Saturday, while the Wolverines are off this week.

(Photo: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)





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