Western Michigan receiver Jordan White is now the leading receiver in MAC history, as a 24-yard catch on the Broncos' first drive of the second half moved him past Darius Watts for the career mark and he passed Freddie Barnes for the single season mark on the same play.
Purdue began the half with a big emotional victory by getting a goal line stand on a first-and-goal from the one-yard line. Alex Carder was hit for a loss on second-and-goal from the one and was unable to complete a third down pass. The Broncos were forced to kick a field goal on the drive.
After a three-and-out Western Michigan had a solid drive going to the Boilermaker 20-yard line, but Bruce Gaston batted down Alex Carder's pass attempt on fourh-and-one to end the drive with no points for the Broncos. The Boilermakers wasted little time in making them play, going four plays in 80 yards with Gary Bush catching a screen pass and taking it 33 yards for a touchdown. Akeem Hunt also added a 33-yard run from scrimmage on the drive for Purdue's first points in the third quarter of a game since Oct. 15 at Penn State.
On one of the game's craziest plays defensive end Gerald Gooden got his second interception of the game on a tipped pass, but Josh Schaffer chased him down, forced a fumble, and recovered it on the return. Tevin Drake was able to take advantage with a one-yard touchdown run to cap a five-play, 29-yard drive after Schaffer's recovery.
Purdue is driving deep in Western Michigan territory with the ball at the 34-yard line as the fourth quarter begins.