West Lafayette, IN (Sports Network) - Vincent Smith ran for 99 yards and a touchdown, as the Michigan Wolverines claimed a 27-16 win over the Purdue Boilermakers in Big Ten action at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Cornerback James Rogers came up with two interceptions for the Wolverines (7-3, 3-3 Big Ten), who became bowl eligible last week with a 67-65 win over Illinois in triple-overtime. Denard Robinson had 244 yards of total offense (176 passing, 68 rushing), though he also lost a pair of fumbles and had an interception returned for a touchdown.
Purdue (4-6, 2-4) has now lost four in a row. Sean Robinson was held to 78 yards passing and two interceptions.
The Wolverines got on the board first thanks to their defense, as Craig Roh forced a fumble and Cameron Gordon recovered it, then sprinted 58 yards for a touchdown to give Michigan a 7-0 lead at the 9:43 mark of the first quarter.
Five minutes later, Michigan pushed its lead to 14-0 when Robinson hooked up with Roy Roundtree for a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Purdue notched its first points on a 20-yard field goal by Carson Wiggs in the final minute of the first quarter, capping an eight-play, 61-yard drive.
The Boilermakers cut the deficit to 14-10 on a 94-yard interception return by Ricardo Allen midway through the second quarter.
Later in the same quarter, Purdue trimmed the margin to 14-13 on Wiggs' 46- yard field goal, and the score would remain that way until halftime.
The Purdue defense forced a three-and-out to start the second half, but Waynelle Gravesande fumbled the punt to give Michigan the ball right back in Purdue territory. Two plays later, Smith scored on a 19-yard run to extend the Wolverines' lead to 20-13.
A 40-yard field goal by Wiggs cut the deficit to 20-16 with 9:38 remaining in the third quarter.
Michigan put the game away with a three-yard touchdown run by Stephen Hopkins with 1:58 remaining in regulation.
Purdue converted just 2-of-17 third downs for the game and finished with only 256 yards of total offense.