(Sports Network) – Rob Henry scored three rushing touchdowns and threw for another, as the Purdue Boilermakers downed the Minnesota Golden Gophers 28-17 in a Big Ten game at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Henry, making just his second career start, was 13-of-20 through the air for the Boilermakers (4-2, 2-0 Big Ten) for 163 yards. He also carried the ball 17 times for 57 yards, while Dan Dierking picked up a career-high 126 rushing yards on just 12 carries to help Purdue win for the fourth time in its last five outings.
Adam Weber was 20-of-45 through the air for the Golden Gophers (1-6, 0-3), finishing with 214 yards and two touchdowns. However, Weber was also intercepted twice in the loss. Da’Jon McKnight caught six passes for 123 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota, which has now lost six straight.
Henry got the Boilermakers on the scoreboard when he scored from four yards out with 5:58 left in the opening period.
Purdue extended its advantage to 14-0 when Henry scored from a yard out to cap a short drive that was set up by a bad snap on a Minnesota punt.
Henry found Antavian Edison with a 20-yard touchdown pass to put Purdue up 21-0 with 8:42 left in the third quarter.
Minnesota finally got on the board on Eric Ellestad’s 35-yard field goal with exactly five minutes left in the period.
The Golden Gophers got closer on Weber’s 11-yard pass to Bryant Allen with 12:17 left in the game.
Henry countered for Purdue with a three-yard run with 7:09 left in regulation before Weber found McKnight with a 31-yard scoring strike with exactly three minutes left.
Purdue finished with 393 yards in total offense despite being penalized nine times for 90 yards.