The first play of Purdue’s 2015 season could not have gone any worse. The rest of the first half could not have gone much better.
Purdue quarterback Austin Appleby was intercepted by Marshall defensive back Tiquan Lang on the first play from scrimmage Sunday afternoon in Huntington, who returned it 30 yards for an easy Thundering Herd touchdown. The Boilermarkers controlled the rest of the half, though, and head to the break with a 21-17 lead.
The Boilers recovered well from the first-snap catastrophe, immediately driving 75 yards in 11 plays to tie the game on a four-yard D.J. Knox run. Marshall scored the next 10 points, registering a 20-yard touchdown pass from Michael Birdsong to running back Devon Johnson and a 42-yard Nick Johnson field goal.
Appleby answered with a pair of unanswered touchdowns to close the half, first hitting Danny Anthrop for a nine-yard score with 38 ticks left in the first quarter, then putting his club on top with a one-yard sneak at the 7:35 mark of the second quarter.
All three of Purdue’s scoring marches covered at least 72 yards.
Appleby has completed 19-of-27 passes for 174 yards with a touchdown and a pick, and Knox added 51 yards on 10 carries. Birdsong completed nine of his 14 throws for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Johnson led the Herd in rushing with seven carries for 36 yards. Marshall outrushed Purdue in the opening half 80-61.
Marshall will receive to open the second half.